Kerdikoshvili in Georgia squad for November tests

US Air Force Academy graduate Grigor Kerdikoshvili has been named in a 33-man Georgia squad to prepare for the upcoming November test series. The 24-year-old is one of four uncapped players selected by Milton Haig with a handful of first choice players missing through injury.

Normally a No8, Kerdikoshvili is named as a lock, where he made two replacement appearances for the Glendale Raptors during the 2018 Major League Rugby season. Rangy and athletic, he was also used as a flyhalf for Air Force and was the team’s first choice goal kicker.

Towering Cornish Pirates signing Nodar Cheishvili is the only specialist lock in the group with regulars Kote Mikautadze and Giorgi Nemsadze ruled out. Clermont flanker Vito Kolelishvili and experienced backs Davit Kacharava and Merab Kvirikashvili are also on the absentee list.

Georgia will play tests against Italy, Samoa, and Tonga in November.

FORWARDS
Levan Chilachava (Montpellier, FR), Beka Gigashvili (Grenoble, FR), Guram Gogichasvili (Racing 92, FR), Davit Kubriashvili (Grenoble, FR), Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier, FR), Zurab Zhvania (Wasps, UK), Badri Alkhazashvili (Toulon, FR), Jaba Bregvadze (Sunwolves, JP), Shalva Mamukashvili (Carcassonne, FR), Nodar Cheishvili (Cornish Pirates, UK), Grigor Kerdikoshvili (Lelo Saracens), Lasha Lomidze (Aurillac, FR), Shalva Sutiashvili (Charente, FR), Beka Bitsadze (Narbonne, FR), Otar Giorgadze (Brive, FR), Beka Gorgadze (Bordeaux Bègles, FR), Saha Shubitidze (Batumi), Giorgi Tsutskiridze (Aurillac, FR)

BACKS
Gela Aprasidze (Montpellier, FR), Giorgi Begadze (Lokomotivi), Vaso Lobzhanidze (Brive, FR), Tedo Abzhandadze (Aia), Lasha Khmaladze (Batumi), Lasha Malaguradze (Krasny Yar, RU), Giorgi Koshadze (Kharebi), Giorgi Kveseladze (Armazi), Tamaz Mchedlidze (Agen, FR), Merab Sharikadze (capt., Aurillac, FR), Zurab Dzneladze (Lokomotivi), Anzor Sichinava (Batumi), Sandro Todua (Batumi), Giorgi Aptsiauri (Lokomotivi), Soso Matiashvili (Lelo Saracens)