Georgia name World Cup training squad

Georgia have confirmed a squad of 43 players to prepare for the upcoming World Cup in Japan. Milton Haig’s selections include 20 – largely forwards – based in France with one Super Rugby player in Sunwolves hooker Jaba Bregvadze.

The squad is largely as expected with 20 returnees from the 2015 World Cup. Aurillac center Merab Sharikadze is set to lead the side with former captain Mamuka Gorgodze resisting a late call-up after confirming his retirement from test rugby last year.

Two extra uncapped players have been invited to train with the squad but will not be considered for the traveling group – u20 scrumhalf Mikheil Alania and Exeter University lock Lasha Jaiani.

Tighthead prop Davit Kubriashvili has announced an end to his international career though he was not a favorite to make the final 31. Starting flanker Vito Kolelishvili will miss the tournament after opting to take time away from the game to recover from repeat head injuries.

A notable omission is Wasps loosehead Zurab Zhvania, a veteran of 40 tests and one who most expected to be part of the traveling team, particularly with his ability to cover hooker as well. Haig put the decision down to poor fitness though some speculate there may have been a falling out between the two.

The Lelos will compete in Pool D at the World Cup, along with Australia, Wales, Fiji, and Uruguay. They will play Russia in August as part of their tournament preparations, followed by a two-match series against Scotland before departing.

FORWARDS
Karlen Asieshvili (Brive, FR), Guram Gogichasvili (Racing 92, FR), Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier, FR), Giorgi Tetrashvili (Agen, FR), Jaba Bregvadze (Sunwolves, JP), Giorgi Chkhoidze (Lelo Saracens), Vano Karkadze (Aurillac, FR), Shalva Mamukashvili (Enisei STM, RU), Levan Chilachava (Montpellier, FR), Beka Gigashvili (Grenoble, FR), Giorgi Melikidze (Stade Français, FR), Lasha Tabidze (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Nodar Cheishvili (Cornish Pirates, UK), Davit Gigauri (CSM Bucuresti, RO), Grigor Kerdikoshvili (Lelo Saracens), Kote Mikautadze (Montpellier, FR), Giorgi Nemsadze (Ospreys, UK), Beka Bitsadze (Narbonne, FR), Otar Giorgadze (Brive, FR), Beka Gorgadze (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Lasha Lomidze (Doncaster Knights, UK), Beka Saghinadze (Aurillac, FR), Saba Shubitidze (Batumi), Shalva Sutiashvili (Charente, FR), Giga Tkhilaishvili (Batumi), Giorgi Tsutskiridze (Aurillac, FR)

BACKS
Gela Aprasidze (Montpellier, FR), Giorgi Begadze (Lokomotivi), Vaso Lobzhanidze (Brive, FR), Tedo Abzhandadze (Aia Kutaisi), Revaz Jinchvelashvili (Armazi), Lasha Khmaladze (Batumi), Lasha Malaguradze (VVA, RU), Davit Kacharava (Enisei STM, RU), Giorgi Kveseladze (Armazi), Tamaz Mchedlidze (Agen, FR), Merab Sharikadze (capt., Aurillac, FR), Zurab Dzneladze (Lokomotivi), Mirian Modebadze (Aia Kutaisi), Sandro Todua (Batumi), Giorgi Aptsiauri (Lokomotivi), Merab Kvirikashvili (Lelo Saracens), Soso Matiashvili (Lelo Saracens)