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Georgia are one step closer to confirming their final 31 for Rugby World Cup 2019. Lelos coach Milton Haig has cut seven players from his training roster, naming a 36-strong party to prepare for the upcoming warm-up matches against the Southern Kings and Scotland.
Left out from the original group of 43 are props Giorgi Tetrashvili and Lasha Tabidze, locks Davit Gigauri and Grigor Kerdikoshvili, loose forwards Beka Shubitidze and Beka Bitsadze, and only one back – flyhalf Revaz Jinchvelashvili. Development players Mikheil Alania and Lasha Jaiani, both uncapped, also depart from the training group.
The Lelos are currently on a 10-day rest period before reconvening on August 19. They will play against the Kings on August 27 at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, with matches against Scotland on August 31 at the Dinamo Arena and September 6 at Murrayfield.
Joining the Georgians in Pool D at the World Cup are Australia, Fiji, Uruguay, and Wales. The Lelos will play Los Teros on September 29 in Kumagaya.
A detailed squad list can be seen here.
FORWARDS
Karlen Asieshvili (Brive, FR), Guram Gogichasvili (Racing 92, FR), Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier, 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), Nodar Cheishvili (Cornish Pirates, UK), Kote Mikautadze (Montpellier, FR), Giorgi Nemsadze (Ospreys, UK), Shalva Sutiashvili (Charente, FR), Otar Giorgadze (Brive, FR), Beka Gorgadze (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Lasha Lomidze (Doncaster Knights, UK), Beka Saghinadze (Aurillac, FR), Giga Tkhilaishvili (Batumi), Giorgi Tsutskiridze (Aurillac, FR)
BACKS
Gela Aprasidze (Montpellier, FR), Giorgi Begadze (Lokomotivi), Vaso Lobzhanidze (Brive, FR), Tedo Abzhandadze (Aia Kutaisi), 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)
