Georgia challenge Wales to prove themselves as Six Nations worthy
Georgia, who are hopeful of earning a spot in the Six Nations, have challenged a downtrodden Wales to a double-header fixture.
Warren Gatland’s Wales suffered defeat in all five of their matches, statistically placing them as the weakest team in the top tier of European Test competition this year, after some extremely disappointing performances.
Meanwhile, Former England assistant Richard Cockerill has had his first taste of success as Georgian head coach after hammering Portugal 36-10 in Paris for a seventh consecutive Rugby Europe title.
Cockerill is convinced there is more to come from his side and is confident they could compete against Europe’s best. “We’re probably a little bit too good for this competition and not quite ready to step up into the next competition – whichever one that might be”.
Georgia have held a longstanding desire to be part of the Six Nations by expanding the competition to seven teams.
However they find themselves in a rugby limbo of sorts. The Lelos have dominated Europe Rugby’s second-tier tournament in recent years, and many have argued that a promotion and relegation system via a play-off between the two tournaments would benefit the future of the sport.
An outspoken advocate for this idea is Welsh rugby icon, Sam Warburton, who despite his loyalty to his country is still vocal in his support for the idea, and welcomes the challenge presented by Georgia.
“I was asked the other day whether I still hold the same view about relegation from the Six Nations now that Italy are doing so much better and Wales are not — and I do,” former Wales captain Warburton wrote in his Times column.
Such a circumstance seems unlikely, but if it were currently in effect, it would entail Wales confronting Georgia to either retain or attain their Six Nations status.
On social media Georgia said, “Following widespread debate across the rugby world after the conclusion of the Six Nations and Rugby Europe, the Georgia Rugby Union is inviting Welsh Rugby Union to play an autumn international fixture.”
It would seem they are trying to act out a play-off scenario, to possibly prove a point.
The Georgians beat Wales in the Autumn Internationals in 2022 and clearly believe they can do it again.
Playing Wales at the moment might be a little easier after their worst showing at a Six Nations tournament in the modern era.
Although the Lelos won’t be encouraged by their poor performances at the 2023 World Cup where they were easily beaten by the Welsh.
Ioseb Tkemaladze, the President of Georgian Rugby, expressed his delight to “extend an invitation to our esteemed friends from Wales to compete against Georgia in Tbilisi this autumn.”
“After a thrilling Six Nations and Georgia’s seventh success in a row in Rugby Europe, it’s the fixture rugby fans everywhere are crying out for so I really hope the Welsh can take up our invitation.”
Wales will be hoping to avoid any further embarrassment and put their 2024 Six Nation woes behind them by defeating the ambitious Georgians if this fixture materialises.
For Georgia this could propel their calls for Six Nations inclusion if they overcome the Welsh and deliver a good performance.
