Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Georgia have qualified for Rugby World Cup 2023. The Eastern European country will be either Europe 1 or Europe 2, likely the former, at next year’s Rugby World Cup. The winner of this coming Sunday’s match between Spain and Portugal will also qualify so long as Georgia defeat Romania.
Georgia have 35 points while Spain and Portugal both have 25 followed by Romania with 22. Russia have 10 points and the Netherlands 4. Russia were disqualified from RWC 2023 qualifying following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
If Georgia gain 1 or more points this weekend away against Romania then the Lelos will officially be Europe 1. Similarly, a point in the March 20 match against Spain would be sufficient. In short, Georgia is virtually guaranteed as being Europe 1; an extremely safe bet.
| POOL A | POOL B | POOL C | POOL D |
| France | South Africa | Wales | England |
| New Zealand | Ireland | Australia | Argentina |
| Italy | Scotland | Fiji | Japan |
| Uruguay | Tonga * (Asia Pacific 1) | Georgia * (Europe 1) | Samoa |
| Namibia * (Africa 1) | Europe 2 | Repechage | Americas 2 |
* Expected but unconfirmed
Georgia is the 15th participant confirmed for RWC 2023. The Lelos will play in Pool C or Pool B. As noted, one point from either of the upcoming matches would place Georgia in Pool C. This would make the Pool an 80% repeat of RWC 2019 when Georgia played against Australia, Fiji, Uruguay and Wales.
In the event that Georgia fail to obtain points from their matches against Romania and Spain then Georgia will play in Pool B. The group will conain RWC 2019 champions South Africa in addition to Ireland, Scotland and the Asia Pacific 1 qualifier. Tonga will face the Asian winner of Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Korea to determine who that team is.
If confirmed as Europe 1 Georgia would not play against a country from the Americas at RWC 2023. This would be a first as Georgia has faced a South American opponent in the pool stages of every World Cup that the country competed in. The Lelos faced Uruguay in Sydney in 2003 and Kumagaya in 2019 and against Argentina in Lyon in 2007, Palmerston North in 2011 and Gloucester in 2015.
