Georgia XV squad named for Summer Cup

A 34-man Georgia XV squad has been named to take part in the Rugby Summer Cup set to take place in Tbilisi starting this weekend. The team will be coached by former Lelos fullback Bessik Khamashuridze, a member of both the 2003 and 2007 World Cup squads.

Only four capped players are included, among them 35-year-old winger Giorgi Shkinin who returns to international contention four years removed from the last of his 38 test caps. Hooker Giorgi Chkoidze, flanker Guram Shengelia, and fullback Irakli Svanidze are the other full internationals.

The squad is composed entirely of domestic players with an average age of just 23. A third of the squad is eligible for u20 rugby this year with three players named at just 17 years old.

Georgia will play matches against the Argentina XV and Brazil, with French club Racing 92 the fourth team involved in the friendly competition.

FIXTURES
Sat, July 28 – 19:00 local, 11:00 ET – vs Argentina XV
Fri, Aug 3 – 21:30 local, 13:30 ET – vs Brazil

FORWARDS
Tariel Donadze (Batumi), Giorgi Kakauridze (Jiki Gori), Mikheil Oragvelidze (Jiki Gori), Mikheil Psuturi (Jiki Gori), Jorji Saldadze (Aia), Giorgi Chkhoidze (Lelo), Goga Khuroshvili (Armazi), Levan Papidze (Lelo), Mikheil Babunashvili (Aia), Beka Saghinadze (Lelo), Gela Shalamberidze (Aia), Arsen Trapaidze (Jiki Gori), Tornike Akubardia (Kharebi), Khvicha Bujiashvili (Batumi), Parna Gasviani (Lokomotivi), Sandro Mamamtavrishvili (Lelo), Guram Shengelia (Jiki Gori), Ilia Spanderashvili (Armazi), Nikoloz Sukhashvili (Jiki Gori)

BACKS
Mikheil Alania (Jiki Gori), Davit Kldiashvili (Jiki Gori), Nikoloz Margalitadze (Lelo), Tedo Abzhandadze (Aia), Davit Gobejishvili (Aia), Temur Iremadze (Aia), Revaz Jinjikhadze (Lelo), Guram Kandaurashvili (Kharebi), Sandro Svanidze (Armazi), Giorgi Chuadze (Akamedia), Giorgi Shkinin (Lokomotivi), Akaki Tabutsadze (Lelo), Demur Tapladze (Lelo), Beka Mamukashvili (Lelo) Irakli Svanidze (Jiki Gori)