Thursday, 31 May 2012

Davit Chitidze wins Georgia call up after great form for the A team

The star of the Georgia A tour to the UK, Davit Chitidze has won his first call up to the senior team for the series of matches in June against the Ukraine, USA and Canada.

The lock Chitidze was the find of the tour, scoring a hat trick in the first match against Esher, and then continued his form against the Principality Premiership XV, with his strong fend, he made numerous line breaks and his strong running caused constant problems for the Welsh defence. Thanks to his form, and also the unavailability of Levan Datunashvili and Giorgi Nemsadze, has meant that Chitidze will get his first opportunity with the full Georgian side.


The Georgia A team won three out of three matches against Esher, the Principality Premiership XV and RGC 1404 on their tour of the UK, and Chitidze is one of eight of the squad have received call ups to the senior squad for June.


(Video: Davit Chitidze's strong running performance playing for Georgia A against the Principality Premiership XV)

Georgia squad named for North American tour

Georgia coach Milton Haig has named a 32 man squad for the matches with Ukraine (9th June), USA (16th June) and Canada (23rd June).

The forwards are very much weakened with a number of players missing. In the front row the top three Georgian loosehead props Vasil Kakovin, Davit Khinchagishvili and Anton Peikrishvili all given time off to nurse some small injuries for the start of next season, the top two hookers Jaba Bregvadze who is still recovering from a neck injury and Irakli Natriashvili who is busy looking for a new club, whilst the top two scrummaging tightheads Giorgi Jgenti who's still at loggerheads with the GRU and Davit Kubriashvili hasn't been released by Toulon, are both missing.

So that means the Lelos are down to the fourth choice loosehead prop, the third choice hooker and have lost the two best scrummaging tighthead props. However one boost is that Clermont have released Davit Zirakashvili for the tour, he was the man of the match the last time Georgia played Canada, and has been on great form of late in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup with Clermont. Although the front row is severely depleted, it is still decent, the biggest losses are elsewhere in the pack.

The top lock Levan Datunashvili hasn't been released, he has been an ever present in the Aurillac lineup this season, and is a good lineout operator so he will be missed. Whilst another lock Giorgi Nemsadze who signed for Tarbes this week, is also unavailable. This  means that two new locks are called up in Davit Chitidze who is rewarded for great form on the Georgian A tour and Bachuki Gujaraidze also comes in.

Fly Half Lasha Khmaladze returns to
the Georgian squad after missing
the European Nations Cup with injury
In the back row talisman Mamuka Gorgodze hasn't been made available, and tough tackling Vito Kolelishvili  is given time to recover from a minor injury. These losses will hurt Georgia the most, as Gorgodze is Georgia's main attacking weapon, whilst Kolelishvili was needed to combat the strong Canadian and American back rows.

In the backs there is a notable recall for Lasha Khmaladze who after getting past Kvirikashvili for the last World Cup match against Argentina, got injured for the ENC. The backs other than the absence of injured full back Giorgi Shkinin are full strength.

Georgia squad for June Internationals
Loosehead Props: Irakli Mirtskhulava (Tarbes), Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier)
Hookers: Revaz Belkania (La Seyne), Akvsenti Giorgadze (Toulouse), Shalva Mamukashvili (Armia)
Tighthead Props: Levan Chilachava (Toulon), Beka Sheklashvili (Dax), Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont)
Locks: Beka Bitsadze (Brive), Davit Chitidze (Armia), Giorgi Chkhaidze (Saint-Junien), Bachuki Gujaraidze (Lokomotive), Vakhtang Maisuradze (Albi)
Flankers: Givi Berishvili (Lokomotive), Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy), Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Armia)
Number 8's: Dimitri Basilaia (Edinburgh), Zviad Maisuradze (Lokomotive)
Scrum Halves: Irakli Abuseridze (Auxerre), Giorgi Begadze (Batumi), Bidzina Samkharadze (Armia)
Fly Halves: Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo), Merab Kvirikashvili (Saint-Junien), Lasha Malaghuradze (Rhone)
Centres: Davit Kacharava (Nice), Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College), Beka Tsiklauri (Gdynia), Tedo Zibzibadze (Périgueux)
Wingers: Lekso Gugava (Lelo), Irakli Machkhaneli (Saint-Etienne), Sandro Todua (Albi)
Full Back: Irakli Kiasashvili (Lelo)

Unavailable players
Vasil Kakovin - injured
Davit Khinchagishvili - injured, looking for new club
Anton Peikrishvili - injured
Jaba Bregvadze - injured
Irakli Natriashvili - looking for new club
Levan Datunashvili - rested
Giorgi Nemsadze - rested
Mamuka Gorgodze - rested
Giorgi Shkinin - injured

Friday, 4 May 2012

Player Profile: Vasil Kakovin

image
Name: Vasil Kakovin (ვასილ კაკოვინი)
Date of Birth: 01.12.1989 (22 years old)
Position: Loosehead / Tighthead prop
Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight: 108 kg (17 st 0 lb)
Current Club: FRA Toulouse
Domestic Career
2010 - 12 FRA Brive (38)
2012 – FRA Toulouse
International Career
Debut: 2008 (vs SCO Scotland A)
Caps: 18
Tries: 0
Vasil Kakovin (pronounced Kakovini with and e sound at the end) has risen quickly over the past year to become one of the best props in the Top 14, he is Georgian first choice loosehead prop currently, and after a great 2011/2012 season with Brive he has been signed by the most successful team in European rugby history in Toulouse.

He is one of the lightest modern international props weighing under 110kg and is ultra effective in loose play, and despite not being the heaviest prop he is also a good scrummager.

Aged still only 22, Kakovin has the potential to become one of the best props in the world and will play a key part in Georgia's future in the long term.

Early Career


Kakovin started his career with Georgia as back rower, as a 17 year old he played either flanker or number 8 in the Under 19 World Cup for Georgia.

A year later in 2008, he played in the inaugural Junior World Rugby Trophy (an Under 20’s World Cup for tier 2 nations) as a versatile front rower, starting at either hooker or prop.

Youngest ever capped Georgian prop

image
Kakovin with the Georgia
Under 20's in 2008

Soon after Junior World Rugby Trophy, Kakovin won his first Georgia cap before his 19th birthday against Scotland A in November 2008, and holds the record for youngest ever Georgian prop on debut, and is one of just seven other front rowers to be capped as 18 year olds.

Although he was only called up due to a very large amount of players being unavailable for selection due to French clubs not releasing players, which due to the large amount of front rowers in France meant that his positions were especially effected. The side was so weak it was referred to as Georgia A by Georgia themselves but caps were still awarded and Kakovin made his debut in a heavy loss to the Scots.

He featured again in another weakened Georgian side in the 2009 Churchill Cup that lost all it’s matches, however the scrum was one impressive area and the 19 year old Kakovin playing at prop impressed and came out of the series well. The youngster continued to be part of the Georgian squad when the plethora of props playing in the French top divisions were unavailable, after the 2010 IRB Nations Cup he signed with Top 14 side Brive, it was as this point where he stopped playing hooker and focused on being a specialist prop.

Rise through the ranks


As he was still very young for a prop just aged 20, Kakovin was expected just to play mainly with the Espoirs (the academy/reserve side) in his first season at Brive, but he managed to play 20 matches throughout his first season, mainly as an impact sub from the bench, just starting four of those matches.

Despite missing out on selection for Georgia’s matches in November 2010 as they had managed for a rare occasion a more full strength team, he returned to the side in June 2011 in an experimental side in preparation for the World Cup, and managed to rise above Goderzi Shvelidze and Anton Peikrishvili to become second choice Georgian loosehead prop behind his teammate at Brive Davit Khinchagishvili, and managed selection for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
image
Kakovin on the rampage
in the 2011 World Cup

He didn’t feature in the first two matches, but after a great cameo from the bench against Romania where he added some real dynamic ball carrying for Georgia towards the end of the match, for the Georgia’s last match of the tournament against Argentina he replaced Davit Khinchagishvili who had a sub par match against the Romanians, and became Georgia’s number one loosehead.


Breakthrough season


He carried his good form into the Top 14, and in his first match back from the World Cup, he notably destroyed the most capped French prop of all time Sylvain Marconnet, as Brive routed Biarritz 32-7 at home. Marconnet who was subbed at half time due to the Georgian's dominance over him called Kakovin “a phenomenon” after the match.
image
Kakovin playing for Brive
against Biarritz in 2011

As well as with Georgia, Kakovin went past Khinchagishvili as Brive’s first choice prop, and later he was named in the Midi Olympique team of the first half of the season, the newspaper described him as a “little bull” who was “very mobile, dynamic with ball in hand, and also excels at the scrum area”.

His success meant that several much bigger teams than Brive were hunting his signature, in the end the four times European Champions Toulouse beat off competition from Clermont, Toulon and Racing-Métro, and signed him to replace the retiring South African international Daan Human at the club.

Tuesday, 10 April 2012

Georgians in France 6 - 8 April

30 Georgians played in the top three French league the Top 14, Pro D2 and Fédérale 1 last weekend.

Heineken Cup


3. Davit Zirakashvili - Clermont - 57 minutes
Zirakashvili continued his great comeback from his arm injury in December, and was on top at scrum time winning his sides some penalties, he was also very effective in the loose making several short bursts over the gainline.

Amlin Challenge Cup


(1). Davit Khinchagishvili- Brive - 26 minutes
Khinchagishvili came on in the 54th minute for Brive and added to an already dominant Brive scrum, making it even stronger as Brive's set piece won them the game.


(2). Irakli Natriashvili - Brive - 26 minutes
Natriashvili came on at the same time as Khinchagishvili and also contributed to the Brive scrum getting even stronger.

Pro D2

(1). Mamuka Magrakvelidze - Tarbes - 34 minutes - Yellow Card
(1). Karlen Asieshvili - Aurillac - 30 minutes

(2). David Dadunashvili - Périgueux - 7 minutes

3. Giorgi Natsarashvili - Aurillac - 40 minutes
3. Alexandre Margvelashvili - Périgueux - 32 minutes


13. Tedo Zibzibadze - Périgueux - 80 minutes

Fédérale 1

(2). Revaz Belkania - La Seyne - 51 minutes

3. Nikoloz Giorgadze - Boulogne-Billancourt - 49 minutes
3. Elizbar Kuparadze - Montluçon - 49 minutes
3. Davit Ashvetia - Massy - 41 minutes
(3). Eraki Ninidze - Chateaurenard - 35 minutes
(3). George Kutaraschvili - Chateaurenard - 29 minutes


4. Dimitri Kochalava - Boulogne-Billancourt - 80 minutes


(3). Eraki Ninidze - Romans - 26 minutes

7. Shalva Sutiashvili - Massy - 80 minutes
7. Giorgi Nemsadze - Valence d'Agen - 80 minutes

8. Gregori Labadze - La Seyne - 42 minutes

Dimitri Basilaia move to Edinburgh now confirmed

As had been expected for a couple of months, the Georgian back row Dimitri Basilaia has now officially signed for Rabo Pro12 side Edinburgh from Fédérale 1 side Valence d'Agen.

Basilaia, who made his debut in 2008, broke into the Georgia first choice side last year and was on great form at the Rugby World Cup, playing the first three matches at number 8 and battered the Scottish, English and Romanian defences who must have sported a few bruises after playing against him. He still looked raw and his handling needed work, but just looking at his metres gained as a battering ram he was phenomenal.

Since the World Cup he has won good reviews with Valence d'Agen in his season there since signing in the summer, however he has temporarily been relegated to the Lelos bench after the loss against Spain, with Gorgodze moving back to number 8.

A large part in his signing is thanks to Michael Bradley's brief stint as advisor to former Georgia coach Richie Dixon before taking the Edinburgh job, where it is likely contacts were made, and also Bradley, a renowned canny recruiter had an opportunity to scout the Georgian team.

The opportunity to play for this season's Heineken Cup semi finalists is a brilliant one for Basilaia, who should benefit from the higher standard of rugby and improve as a player, and also get more recognition. Hopefully the move should be a good one for Georgia as well, as at 26 years old Basilaia has a lot to offer Georgian rugby in the future.

Wednesday, 4 April 2012

Mamuka Gorgodze barges Agen defender away

Georgian rugby icon Mamuka Gorgodze was on good form last Saturday for Montpellier, as his side thumped Agen 44-18 at home to help their battle with Castres for a home Top 14 barrage match.

The Agen replacement Conrad Barnard was no match for Gorgodze with plenty momentum as he barged him out of the way, and it  took four Agen defenders to bring him down in the end. But the space created from Gorgodze's run left space for Montpellier to attack and after two offloads by the props François Trinh Duc slid into score.


(Video: Mamuka Gorgodze barges Agen defender Conrad Barnard out of the way)

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

Georgian Under 18's victory over the Italian Under 18's supports that Georgia is good enough for the 6 Nations

Today the Georgian Under 18 team defeated the Italy Under 18 team 20-18 at the European Under 18 Championships, a great result for Georgia and which shows a very promising future for the team, and also supports that they are as strong as Italy and deserving of a place in the 6 Nations.

A week ago, FIRA (who run things to do with the second tier European nations, and also this Under 18 tournament) director Gilles Bizot said that "Georgian rugby is not nearly as strong as Italian rugby" when asked whether they could join the Six Nations in the near future.

But that view has been made to look foolish by the Georgian Under 18 team, who with tries from Revaz Brodzeli and Giorgi Pruidze defeated the Italian Under 18 team. Of course youth games are not always reflective of the senior games as nations with most depth and player bases tend to do better than in senior rugby, but you don't get nations who are "not nearly as strong" in senior rugby beating nations in junior rugby.

This result supports that Georgia, who have dominated the European Nations Cup (6 Nations B) over the past years are good enough to join the 6 Nations. It shows that their youth system is as good as Italy and the players coming through are also as good, and that matches at senior level must be held between Italy, Samoa, Scotland and Argentina on a regular basis.

The Georgian Under 18 team, coached by former flanker Ilia Maisuradze who played at the 2007 World Cup are now guaranteed to finish in the top six Nations of the European Under 18 Championship, if they beat Scotland Under 18's in their final match they will finish fifth.

Georgians in France 30 March - 1 April

30 Georgians played in the top three French league the Top 14, Pro D2 and Fédérale 1 last weekend.

Top 14

1. Davit Khinchagishvili - Brive - 57 minutes
(1). Mikheil Nariashvili - Montpellier - 5 minutes

3. Vasil Kakovin - Brive - 72 minutes
3. Giorgi Jgenti  - Montpellier - 69 minutes
3. Davit Kubriashvili - Toulon - 61 minutes
3. Beka Sheklashvili - Agen - 56 minutes
(3). Anton Peikrishvili - Castres 18 minutes

7. Mamuka Gorgodze - Montpellier - 80 minutes

Pro D2

1. David Dadunashvili - Périgueux - 75 minutes - Yellow Card
(1). Mamuka Magrakvelidze - Tarbes - 30 minutes
(1). Karlen Asieshvili - Aurillac - 20 minutes

3. Alexandre Margvelashvili - Périgueux - 32 minutes
(3). Giorgi Natsarashvili - Aurillac - 30 minutes

5. Levan Datunashvili - Aurillac - 80 minutes

13. Tedo Zibzibadze - Périgueux - 80 minutes - 5 points (1 Try)

Fédérale 1

(2). Revaz Belkania - La Seyne - 19 minutes

3. Nikoloz Giorgadze - Boulogne-Billancourt - 80 minutes
3. George Kutaraschvili - Chateaurenard - 80 minutes - Yellow Card
3. Atvo Kopaliani - Orléans - 80 minutes
3. Davit Ashvetia - Massy - 50 minutes
(3). Elizbar Kuparadze - Montluçon - 30 minutes
(3). Eraki Ninidze - Chateaurenard - 26 minutes

(6). Giorgi Ozgebishvili - Saint Junien - 4 minutes

7. Shota Sakvarelidze - Orléans - 80 minutes - Yellow Card
7. Giorgi Nemsadze - Valence d'Agen - 80 minutes - Yellow Card -  5 points (1 Try)

8. Gregori Labadze - La Seyne - 80 minutes
8. Shalva Sutiashvili - Massy - 80 minutes
8. Giorgi Chkhaidze - Saint-Junien - 80 minutes

10. Merab Kvirikashvili - Saint-Junien - 80 minutes - 13 points (1 Conversion, 3 Penalties, 1 Drop Goal)

14. Irakli Machkhaneli - Saint-Etienne - 80 minutes

Monday, 2 April 2012

Georgia A end tour of England and Wales unbeaten after 25-17 victory over RGC 1404

Georgia A completed their three match tour of England and Wales unbeaten with a 17-25 win over RGC 1404 in North Wales.

Despite conceding the first try of the match and going down 7-3, the Georgia A team soon hit back with tries by Giorgi Kacharava, Levan Chilachava and Irakli Gegenava to lead 22-7 after 32 minutes.

Georgia A completed their third win in a week and a half
The match form thereon didn't have many points at all, but RGC 1404 scored a second try from Ben Stelmaszek to bring the scores close, but Georgia A had already built enough of a lead to win the match.

This ends a satisfactory tour for Georgia A, although they haven't thumped the opposition they can't complain with winning all three matches especially with the lack of strength and inexperience in the side.

A big problem to work on though is the discipline, another yellow card by Giorgi Jimsheladze in this match has meant in total that there have been five cards in three matches which will really hurt them in the future if it continues to occur so regularly.

17-25
TriesBen Stelmaszek (2)Giorgi Kacharava, Levan Chilachava, Irakli Gegenava
ConversionsCarlton Jones, Carwyn Ap MyrrdinSaba Nikolava (2)
PenaltiesCarlton JonesSaba Nikolava (2)


Georgia "A": 15 Saba Nikolava (Armia), 14 Irakli Gegenava (Lelo), 13 Irakli Chkhikvadze (Armia), 12 Giorgi Jimsheladze (Armia), 11 Lekso Gugava (captain, Lelo); 10 Giorgi Kacharava (Lelo), 9 Giorgi Begadze (Kochebi); 1 Irakli Mirtskhulava (Tarbes), 2 Beka Mekokishvili (Armia), 3 Levan Chilachava (Toulon), 4 Beka Bitsadze (Armia), 5 Davit Chitidze (Armia), 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Armia), 7 Givi Berishvili (Locomotive), 8 Giorgi Tkesheliadze (Hartpury College)

Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili (Armia), 17 Giorgi Menabdishvili (Grenoble), 18 Jaba Kikvidze (Armia), 19 Mikheil Gachechiladze (Academy); 20 Sandro Nijaradze (Hartpury College), 21 Giga Gagoshvili (Armia), 22 Zurab Dzneladze (AIA)

Sunday, 1 April 2012

Principality Premiership XV 32-36 Georgia A highlights

(video: highlights from Georgia A's win over the Principality Premiership XV)

With no commentary, I thought it would be helpful if the names of the players and what was happening was written below.

Georgia A kick off, and the Principality Premiership spread it out wide and Lee Rees makes some metres, but a knock on sees Irakli Gegenava go down the touchline but is judged to have a foot in touch.

The Principality Premiership XV win a scrum against the head and Morgan Allen picks up and goes but knocks on in attempting to offload to his support for a try.

The Principality Premiership XV win a penalty as the scrum collapses and Steffan Jones gets the first points of the match. Principality Premiership XV 3-0 Georgia A

A poor clearing kick by Richard Carter allows Georgia A to counter, and after momentum gained by Davit Chitidze, and then winger Lekso Gugava goes through some poor defence by Richard Carter and despite being tackled short of the line the support is there to clearout and full back Geraint O'Driscoll cannot stop hooker Shalva Mamukashvili from three metres out. Try for Georgia A. Saba Nikolava converts. Principality Premiership XV 3-7 Georgia A

The Principality Premiership XV get momentum after a good scrum and piercing scrum half break by Justin James, lock Davit Chitidze gives away the penalty for offside, and Steffan Jones slots it. Principality Premiership XV 6-7 Georgia A

After a great high box kick by Justin James and a very good chase by flanker James Davies, the Principality Premiership XV regain the ball and get momentum and Georgia A give away a penalty for not releasing the tackler. Steffan Jones gets the penalty and retakes the lead. Principality Premiership XV 9-7 Georgia A

The Principality Premiership XV continue to dominate the scrum and win another penalty which Steffan Jones get from 35 metres out. Principality Premiership XV 12-7 Georgia A

After refusing going for points from a penalty and going for the corner instead, Georgia A get some phases close to the Principality Premiership XV line and Davit Chitidze goes over from short range to score. Saba Nikolava gets the conversion from the touchline. Principality Premiership XV 12-14 Georgia A

After a clearing box kick by Giorgi Kacharava, Principality Premiership XV winger Lee Rees gets a run with the ball and rounds the Georgia A defence but after a chip kick is taken out by two defenders, who were lucky not to receive cards and are just warned by the referee. Steffan Jones gets the penalty. Principality Premiership XV 15-14 Georgia A

Prop Irakli Mirtskhulava perhaps frustrated with his own performance reacts angrily to some rucking of lock Adam Powell and launches an almighty air punch at Powell right in front of the referee and is sin binned for 10 minutes.

The Principality Premiership XV take advantage of their numerical advantage and despite some stubborn defence by Georgia A, flanker James Davies makes a half break and a good offload to put in Matt Llewellyn to score. Steffan Jones gets a hard conversion. Principality Premiership XV 22-14 Georgia A

After a clearance kick by the Principality Premiership XV, number 8 Morgan Allen goes far too high on David Chitidze who fends him off and offloads to number 8 Giorgi Tkesheliadze who goes on a rampage and ends up just a few metres out. Georgia A lose the ball with short five metre attacks and the Principality Premiership XV clear but Lekso Gugava puts pressure right back on them, wriggling out of tackles. After a high tackle from James Davies, Giorgi Kacharava takes it quickly and runs through some sleepy defence to score. Saba Nikolava converts. Principality Premiership XV 22-21 Georgia A


After a clearance kick by Georgia A, Morgan Allen drops a simple catch and the teams go in for half time.

The Principality Premiership XV kickoff and replacement hooker Beka Mekokishvili makes some metres.

Winger Lee Rees again rounds the defence but his pass is out of reach of his support and also judged to be forward.

A strong pick up by Giorgi Tkesheliadze gets forward momentum and after some good interplay by Mikheil Gachechiladze and Beka Mekokishvili Georgia A are storming down the pitch but Saba Nikolava drops the ball and the play ends.

Davit Chitidze rampages up the pitch after picking up from a ruck, but Giorgi Jimsheladze fumbles the pass.

After yet another strong pick up by number 8 Giorgi Tkesheliadze who fends off the tackler and then offloads to Giorgi Kacharava who gets round the defence to make 30 metres. With some quick ball Davit Chitidze finds a hole in the defence and a weak tackle by Haydn Pugh but his next pass is judged forward.

The Principality Premiership get a scrum penalty against the general run of play, and replacement Jamie Davies gets it from 45 metres out. Principality Premiership XV 25-21 Georgia A

The increased pressure by Georgia A doesn't stop though, and after a few metres gained by Lekso Gugava, Davit Chitidze yet again went rampaging up the pitch finding some defensive mismatches in the backs, quick ball saw Irakli Chkhikvadze run down the wing and more quick ball saw Lekso Gugava find a mismatch in defence sidestepping replacement prop Will Taylor but the move ends up with Zurab Dzneladze bundled out into touch.

After an overthrown lineout by replacement Andrew Brown, Georgia A gather and simply pass down the line and Irakli Chkhikvadze gets on the end of a switch move for a simple score. Saba Nikolava converts. Principality Premiership XV 25-28 Georgia A


The Georgia A replacement Jaba Kikvidze outpaced his opposite number 8 to go round him and up the field, followed by another rumble by replacement prop Levan Chilachava (who stabilised the Georgia A scrum when he came on) but the play petered out in the end.

Off the back of a scrum, Jaba Kikvidze continued to make a good impact and rumbled over for the score. Saba Nikolava misses the conversion. Principality Premiership XV 25-33 Georgia A


The Principality Premiership XV score a late try through a quick tap and was finished by replacement Sam Sole, Jamie Davies gets a hard conversion. Principality Premiership XV 32-33 Georgia A

But Georgia A just go straight back down field and get a penalty thanks to Chris Davies stupidly tackling the scrum half, Saba Nikolava gets the penalty and there is just one minute left. Principality Premiership XV 32-36 Georgia A

The Principality Premiership XV's last chance goes as a maul is held and the referee blows the final whistle.

Principality Premiership XV: 15 Geraint O'Driscoll (Pontypool/Dragons), 14 Richard Carter (Aberavon), 13 Matthew Jacobs (Llandovery/Scarlets), 12 Scott Williams (Newport), 11 Lee Rees (Llandovery); 10 Steffan Jones (Cross Keys/Dragons), 9 Justin James (Llanelli); 1 Richard Cornock (Cross Keys), 2 Gerwyn Price (Cross Keys), 3 Marc Jones (Cross Keys); 4 Adam Powell (Llanelli/Scarlets), 5 Haydn Pugh (captain, Carmarthen Quins); 6 Matt Llewellyn (Bridgend), 7 James Davies (Carmarthen Quins), 8 Morgan Allen (Aberavon/Ospreys)

16 Andrew Brown (Newport), 17 Will Taylor (Aberavon/Ospreys), 18 Ryan Harford (Pontpridd/Cardiff Blues), 19 Sam Kiley (Swansea), 20 Chris Davies (Aberavon); 21 Jamie Davies (Aberavon), 22 Sam Soul (Llandovery), 23 Elliot Frewen (Newport)

Georgia "A": 15 Saba Nikolava (Armia), 14 Zurab Dzneladze (AIA), 13 Irakli Chkhikvadze (Armia), 12 Giorgi Jimsheladze (Armia), 11 Lekso Gugava (captain, Lelo); 10 Irakli Gegenava (Lelo), 9 Giorgi Kacharava (Lelo); 1 Irakli Mirtskhulava (Tarbes), 2 Shalva Mamukashvili (Armia), 3 Giorgi Menabdishvili (Grenoble), 4 Mikheil Gachechiladze (Academy), 5 Davit Chitidze (Armia), 6 Beka Bitsadze (Armia), 7 Givi Berishvili (Locomotive), 8 Giorgi Tkesheliadze (Hartpury College)

Replacements: 16 Beka Mekokishvili (Armia), 17 Levan Chilachava (Toulon), 18 Jaba Kikvidze (Armia), 19 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Armia); 20 Sandro Nijaradze (Hartpury College), 21 Giga Gagoshvili (Armia), 22 Beka Urjukashvili (Figeac)

Thursday, 29 March 2012

Vasil Kakovin's footballing skills nearly sets up try for Brive

In last weekend's match between Brive and Bayonne, Georgian prop Vasil Kakovin playing at tighthead prop for this match nearly set up a try in an unlikely circumstances.
Vasil Kakovin showed his footballing
skills to good effect for Brive against
Bayonne last weekend

With the ball at a ruck, Welsh international scrum half Mike Phillips passed but no Bayonne player came forward to take the pass, and the prop showed his great work rate in the loose by getting first to the ball, and showing his footballing skills to put in a very good hack which should have set up a try for his team, only for the centre Arnaud Mignardi to show poor handling skills for a centre in knocking on with a try begging.

The skills shown in the loose by Kakovin was the sort of thing that we are used to seeing from Wales prop Gethin Jenkins so often and which is why Jenkins is one of the best looseheads in the world. Kakovin, who still only 22, has shown that he has the potential to be the Georgian equivalent of Jenkins with his skills in the loose with ball in hand, and also work rate catching the eye of the Toulouse coach Guy Novès who is targeting the Georgian as a replacement for the retiring Daan Human.


(Video: Vasil Kakovin shows his footballing skills and nearly sets up a try for Brive against Bayonne)

Giorgi Jgenti continues Top 14 scrummaging domination

Montpellier tighthead prop Giorgi Jgenti has been a scrummaging monster all season, and his form continued last weekend against despite his side falling to a defeat against Castres.

Prop Giorgi Jgenti continued his scrummaging form
against Castres this weekend
Jgenti and the Montpellier scrum sent the Castres pack which included French international prop Luc Ducalcon and France A prop Yannick Forestier in the front row. The scrum won a penalty for Montpellier, but they were always behind Castres in the match and in the end lost 27-18.

Jgenti joined Montpellier in 2010 from Pro D2 side Oyonnax and has been a great signing for them, becoming first choice tighthead prop in his first season and being nominated as one of the best tighthead props in the Top 14, in his second season with added competition for his place from Argentine Maximiliano Bustos, Jgenti has gone up a level. He has upped his work rate aside from his main strength of scrummaging, and has lessened his penalty count, Midi Olympique named him as the best tighthead prop of the first half of the season.

The 26 year old is becoming Georgia's answer to the "Hair Bear" Adam Jones, both are very similar in playing style and Jgenti one day could improve to become as good as Jones one day perhaps.

However, despite Jgenti's scrummaging success, he has not played for Georgia in over a year and was left out of the World Cup squad (despite the majority of Georgian fans wanting him in it), which has been whispered amongst fans because of disputes between him and officials in the setup and also another two very good tighthead props in Davit Zirakashvili and Davit Kubriashvili for competition.

But with Jgenti improving further this season, it has been of the opinion of most fans that on form he is the best Georgian tighthead prop and deserves to wear the number 3 jersey, yet it is unknown whether he can solve his problems with Georgian officials to get back in the side. If he can solve them he will be very welcome back into the side.


(Video: Giorgi Jgenti continues his beastly scrummaging form against Castres despite his side Montpellier suffering a loss)

Vasil Kakovin move to Toulouse now looks even more likely as Daan Human departs the French champions

Toulouse's veteran 35 year old South African prop Daan Human has been announced to be departing the French champions to head back to South Africa to work on his family farm. The departure of Human means that the rumoured arrival of Georgian prop Vasil Kakovin looks even more likely.

Vasil Kakovin has been heavily linked with a move to the
French champions Toulouse, a rumour which now looks
even more likely with the departure of Daan Human
Kakovin, who can play both prop positions but is predominantly a loosehead, made a great impact from the bench at the World Cup, and has continued that form with Brive in the Top 14 where he has become first choice ahead of his fellow Georgian Davit Khinchagishvili and was named in Midi Olympique's Top 14 team of the first half of the season.

At still just 22, Kakovin looks to have the potential to become one of the best props in the world given he has the capability to be a bull in the loose and also strong at scrummaging as well, whilst many props can do one or the other very few combine the two it is very rare. And Toulouse coach Guy Novès seems to have seen that potential in Kakovin, and it is thought that he is one of the French champions main targets in the transfer market.
A move to Toulouse although unfortunate for Brive who would lose a good player, would be a great one for Kakovin. He would get much more recognition playing in one of the top European teams with a very rich history, and would also much more likely to end his career with more medals as well.

They also happen to have  a good scrum already which Kakovin could be part of. Being around such quality players would surely improve him as a player as well, although he would face tough competition for his place from internationals like Gurthro Steenkamp and Jean-Baptiste Poux, he could also learn from them as well.

If the move does go ahead for Kakovin then he would join another Georgian front rower at Toulouse in hooker Jaba Bregvadze who has recently signed a new contract with them. Two Georgians in the Toulouse front row would show how much the Lelos reputation is increasingly growing for producing front rowers.

Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Georgia "A" score five tries to beat the Principality Premiership XV 36-32

The Georgia "A" touring side picked up their second victory in two matches, this time against a combined Principality Premiership XV.

The Georgians had a rotated side than the one that beat Esher, whilst the Principality Premiership XV was a selection of players from the feeder teams to the Welsh regions.

The Georgia A squad pose for a team photo before the match
The lead switched hands several times throughout the match, with the Welshmen taking an early lead through the boot of Steffan Jones after a penalty won at scrum time in a match where the Georgian front rowers struggled.

But the Georgians soon scored in the 10th minute through captain Lekso Gugava running through poor defence setting up a try for hooker Shalva Mamukashvili, but discipline continued to be a problem for Georgia A with another scrum penalty, a professional foul and ruck infringements and the lead was soon surrendered until a try from lock Davit Chitidze from short distance meant the lead switched hands for the fourth time in the match to 14-12 to Georgia A.

But it was soon surrendered, and soon after prop Irakli Mirtskhulava who had a woeful match at the scrum and conceding penalties was sin binned for a wild punch that hit thin air which is the fourth card of the tour. Five penalties in the first half was far too many and four cards in two matches is also unacceptable and these preventable errors could cost more important matches in the future if they are not eradicated.

The Principality Premiership side took advantage of their advantage scoring a try set up by flanker James Davies' offload to Matt Llewellyn but the 14 man Georgian A side soon struck back with a try from lazy Welsh defence as scrum half Giorgi Kacharava caught defenders napping to score from a quick tap to leave the scores 22-21 at half time.

Despite the Welsh semi professional side scoring the first points after half time after another penalty from the scrum, in the second half Georgia A was a bit more dominant getting more momentum in attack and routinely gaining yards through the runs of their forwards Giorgi Tkesheliadze, Davit Chitidze and subs Beka Mekokishvili and Jaba Kikvidze. After pressure from the Georgians, hooker Andrew Brown overthrew a lineout and then Irakli Chkhikvadze went the posts after a simple switch move and soon after Jaba Kikvidze scored off the back of the scrum for a fifth try which put the odds very much in favour of Georgia A.

The Georgia A touring squad celebrate their win
The Principality Premiership XV fought back to score a late from Sam Soul in the corner and it was converted try to make it 32-33, but it was too late in the day and Georgia A just got straight back down field to score a penalty in the 79th mintute and held onto the victory.

A negative of this game was again the discipline and also the scrummaging which conceded numerous penalties and lost two scrums against the head. But the positives was a very solid defence, and of course the five tries scored.

The touring squads final match will be against North Welsh side RGC 1404 (the RGC stands for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru which is Welsh for Rugby North Wales and the 1404 comes from the year Owain Glyndŵr  became the Prince of Wales) on Saturday at Eirias Park.

32-36
imgThumb
Tries Matt Llewellyn, Sam Sole Shalva Mamukashvili, Davit Chitidze, Giorgi Kacharava, Irakli Chkhikvadze, Jaba Kikvidze
Conversions Steffan Jones, Jamie Davies  Saba Nikolava (4)
Penalties Steffan Jones (5), Jamie Davies Saba Nikolava

Principality Premiership XV: 15 Geraint O'Driscoll (Pontypool/Dragons), 14 Richard Carter (Aberavon), 13 Matthew Jacobs (Llandovery), 12 Scott Williams (Newport), 11 Lee Rees (Llandovery/Scarlets); 10 Steffan Jones (Cross Keys/Dragons), 9 Justin James (Llanelli); 1 Richard Cornock (Cross Keys), 2 Gerwyn Price (Cross Keys), 3 Marc Jones (Cross Keys); 4 Adam Powell (Llanelli/Scarlets), 5 Haydn Pugh (captain, Carmarthen Quins); 6 Matt Llewellyn (Bridgend), 7 James Davies (Carmarthen Quins), 8 Morgan Allen (Aberavon/Ospreys)


16 Andrew Brown (Newport), 17 Will Taylor (Aberavon/Ospreys), 18 Ryan Harford (Pontpridd/Cardiff Blues), 19 Sam Kiley (Swansea), 20 Chris Davies (Aberavon); 21 Jamie Davies (Aberavon), 22 Sam Soul (Llandovery), 23 Elliot Frewen (Newport)

Georgia "A": 15 Saba Nikolava (Armia), 14 Zurab Dzneladze (AIA), 13 Irakli Chkhikvadze (Armia), 12 Giorgi Jimsheladze (Armia), 11 Lekso Gugava (captain, Lelo); 10 Irakli Gegenava (Lelo), 9 Giorgi Kacharava (Lelo); 1 Irakli Mirtskhulava (Tarbes), 2 Shalva Mamukashvili (Armia), 3 Giorgi Menabdishvili (Grenoble), 4 Mikheil Gachechiladze (Academy), 5 Davit Chitidze (Armia), 6 Beka Bitsadze (Armia), 7 Givi Berishvili (Locomotive), 8 Giorgi Tkesheliadze (Hartpury College)

Replacements: 16 Beka Mekokishvili (Armia), 17 Levan Chilachava (Toulon), 18 Jaba Kikvidze (Armia), 19 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Armia); 20 Sandro Nijaradze (Hartpury College), 21 Giga Gagoshvili (Armia), 22 Beka Urjukashvili (Figeac)

Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Davit Zirakashvili's great return from injury for Clermont

After breaking his arm against Leicester in the Heineken Cup in December, Clermont prop Davit Zirakashvili returned to action this weekend and his comeback went extremely well for him as Clermont extended their home winning streak to 40 matches in a row.
Davit Zirakashvili suffered an arm
injury in December which has kept
him out for over three months

Zirakashvili came on as a substitute in the 54th minute for Daniel Kotze with the scores level and the Catalan side in with a real chance of ending the streak. The Georgian prop made a real impact coming on and in just three minutes he and the Clermont scrum won a penalty after shunting their opposition backwards, and David Skrela kicked to give Clermont the lead.

And then on the 70th minute, Zirakashvili and the Clermont scrum demolished former England prop Perry Freshwater who was sent marching backwards by Zirakashvili at a high speed. Skrela again kicked the penalty and Clermont had a nine point lead and weren't going to lose the game from there.

It was a great return for Zirakashvili, who is one of three standout tighthead props currently playing in the Top 14 currently with Davit Kubriashvili of Toulon and Giorgi Jgenti of Montpellier. The Georgian coach Milton Haig certainly has luxury of tighthead props currently like no other international coach in the world.


(Video: Davit Zirakashvili on his return from an arm injury for Clermont, won two penalties at the scrum for his team against Perpignan and destroying former England international prop Perry Freshwater and turning the match towards Clermont)

Ridiculous attitude shown by FIRA boss dents Georgian hopes of joining the 6 Nations

In an article in the Scotsman last weekend by Iain Morrison contained some worrying comments by the FIRA (the organisation that organises tier 2 European Rugby) director Gilles Bizot. The article started off by explaining the growth of rugby in Georgia but here is an extract from the interview with Bizot.
So, would he like to see the concept of promotion/relegation extended to the Six Nations itself or, like King Louis in The Jungle Book, have Georgia reached the top and have to stop? 
“No,” is the simple reply from Bizot. “Georgian rugby is not nearly as strong as Italian rugby. In a one-off game the Georgians might beat Italy or Scotland but there is a huge gap between the two nations,” he adds. 
“Anyway, it is a matter for the Six Nations, which is a closed competition, not for FIRA. Georgia could one day play in the Six Nations but not at the moment. There are no discussions along those lines.”
FIRA Director Gilles
Bizot (above) has shown
a poor attitude about the
possibility of Georgia
in the near future being
added to the 6 Nations
This is ridiculous attitude by Bizot who is wrong and the director of FIRA thinking as non progressively as that is worrying for Georgia's deserved bid to join the 6 Nations in the near future.

Firstly he says that "Georgian rugby is not nearly as strong as Italian rugby".

Whilst he is entitled to his opinion, Georgia has proved they are as strong as Italy and in fact are at a similar level. Both teams have big fearsome forwards pack, but less strength in the backs.

Without home advantage Italy had worse matches against Scotland and England last year than Georgia's against the same opposition at the World Cup. Scotland comfortably defeated Italy at home in the 2011 6 Nations, and yes Italy won this year's match at home. But the narrow margin and tightness of the match between Georgia and Scotland at the World Cup that Georgia could overcome the difference if given home advantage as well.

There is no area on the pitch where Italy easily has better players than Georgia, in fact the Lelos now have more depth and top players in their front row than the Azzurri.

It depends on opinion whether Georgia are as good are only a bit worse than Italy, but there is no way that Georgia aren't "nearly as strong" as Italy. There is small differences between the two, it is likely that if Georgia were introduced into the 6 Nations then the home team would win the matches between the two much like what has happened in matches between Italy and Scotland these last few years.
With home advantage such as seen
here against Russia, Georgia who
have dominated the second tier of
European rugby over the past five
years should be able to beat at home
both Italy and Scotland

Bizot's second remark is "in a one-off game the Georgians might beat Italy or Scotland but there is a huge gap between the two nations".

This is a really poor attitude by Bizot. Think about it, Italy might beat France in a one-off match like they did in 2011 but normally throughout the 6 Nations France have been comfortable winners. By Bizot's logic Italy and Scotland who just win one-offs but normally lose in the 6 Nations are not good enough either then.

This is no reason to exclude Georgia from the 6 Nations, also in rugby if a team can beat a team in a one off match it likely means there is not a "huge gap between the two nations".

When Italy were added to the 6
Nations in 2000, they suffered some
heavy defeats including 80 points
conceded in 2001 to England (above),
Georgia are above the level Italy
were when they were added in 2000
And compare this Georgia side to the Italy side that was introduced to the 6 Nations in 2000, that Italian side was regularly thumped and notably conceded 80 points against England in 2001. Georgia are much better than that Italy side in the early 2000's, they would not concede 50 points to any of the 6 Nations teams, and if introduced they would improve and get losing margins closer much like Italy have done over the years.

Also look at the difference between Georgia and Italy, and then compare that to the difference between Georgia and some of the teams in the European Nations Cup, Georgia have been so dominant in the league the last few years that they have played a B team half of the time. Georgia are a lot closer to Italy than the opposition are to Georgia in the European Nations Cup.

Unfortunately this means that Bizot thinks that Georgia have to beat the top 6 Nations sides on more than one occasion to be considered as an addition. Something which is very hard to do when the Tier 1 clique continually ignores playing matches with Georgia. Despite Georgia's impressive performance in the 2007 World Cup, Georgia didn't get one match against Tier 1 opposition over the next four years until the next World Cup.

Bizot's third and final point is "It is a matter for the Six Nations, which is a closed competition, not for FIRA. Georgia could one day play in the Six Nations but not at the moment. There are no discussions along those lines."

Whilst he is right that it is a matter for the 6 Nations, FIRA should be championing Georgia to be added to the 6 Nations, and be pushing really hard for discussions. It is really disappointing to hear that there have been no discussions for Georgia to be added and doesn't seem to be any chance of them soon.