Gorgodze to captain Georgia in World Cup

Mamuka Gorgodze will lead Georgia’s entry to the World Cup this fall. The powerful Toulon loose forward has been named captain of the 31-man squad nominated by head coach Milton Haig to play against Argentina, Namibia, New Zealand, and Tonga in Pool C. His appointment comes as a surprise having skippered the team in only two tests in the past. Flyhalf Lasha Khmaladze has been named vice-captain.

The Lelos will send their strongest possible squad, with only a couple injuries and absentees of note. Zurab Zhvania and Giorgi Talakhadze have suffered elbow and groin injuries, respectively, in the warm-up match against Newcastle and their places have been taken by Simon Maisuradze and Muraz Giorgadze. Neither were expected to be first choice but it would be a great disappointment to both.

Perpignan no8 Dimitri Basilaia has been left out completely, with abrasive Clermont Auvergne flanker Vito Kolelishvili returning to fitness after a long-term knee injury and imposing Béziers no8 Lasha Lomidze preferred. Gorgodze’s naming as captain ahead of Shalva Sutiashvili suggests that the latter could find himself out of the run-on side. Former Toulouse hooker Jaba Bregvadze is one of only two Georgian-based forwards, the other flanker Giorgi Tkhilaishvili.

By contrast nine of the backs are home-based, with only flyhalf Lasha Malaguradze based in France of the halfback options. Former skipper Davit Kacharava is the lone Russian-based player, and is expected to form a strong midfield pairing with impressive youngster Merab Sharikadze, who plays his rugby for Aurillac in the French Pro D2.

Vastly experienced duo Giorgi Chkhaidze and Merab Kvirikashvili will each be playing in their fourth World Cup tournament. Highly rated scrumhalf Vaso Lobzhanidze is the baby of the group, being just 18 years old and still eligible for the u20 side in 2016. If he appears in a match he will be the youngest player in World Cup history to take the field, beating USA’s Thretton Palamo, who was 19 when he came on against the Springboks in 2007.

FORWARDS
Karlen Asieshvili (Brive), Levan Chilachava (Toulon), Davit Kubriashvili (Stade Français), Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier), Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont), Jaba Bregvadze (Kochebi), Simon Maisuradze (Valence), Shalva Mamukashvili (Sale), Giorgi Chkhaidze (Lille), Levan Datunashvili (Aurillac), Kote Mikautadze (Toulon), Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes), Mamuka Gorgodze (capt., Toulon), Vito Kolelishvili (Clermont), Lasha Lomidze (Béziers), Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy), Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Batumi)

BACKS
Giorgi Begadze (Kochebi), Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi), Vaso Lobzhanidze (Armazi), Giorgi Aptsiauri (Aia), Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo), Lasha Malaguradze (Bagnères), Davit Kacharava (Yenisey), Tamaz Mchedlidze (Agen), Merab Sharikadze (Aurillac), Muraz Giorgadze (Armazi), Giorgi Pruidze (Aia), Sandro Todua (Lelo), Merab Kvirikashvili (Montluçon), Beka Tsiklauri (Lokomotivi)