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Georgia publicly challenge Wales to match after wooden spoon
By Josh Raisey
Just days after winning the Rugby Europe Championship in Paris, Georgia have challenged Wales to a match in Tbilisi this autumn.
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Georgia’s 36-10 victory over Portugal in the final at the Stade Jean Bouin came just over 24 hours after Wales slumped to their first wooden spoon in the Guinness Six Nations since 2003 with their fifth loss on the bounce in the tournament against Italy in Cardiff.
In the aftermath of the two results, Georgia have publicly challenged Wales to a match on social media, quoting former Wales captain Sam Warburton in saying it is the match “rugby lovers everywhere want to see”.
The initial challenge is for Wales to play in the Georgian capital, with a potential return game in Cardiff.
Just to stir the pot even further, Georgia included a video of the team celebrating at the Principality Stadium following their 13-12 victory over Wales in 2022 (although Wales have since beaten them at the World Cup last year).
🏆 Following widespread debate across the rugby world after the conclusion of the @sixnationsrugby and @rugby_europe championships, @GeorgianRugby is inviting @welshrugbyunion to play an autumn international test-match. pic.twitter.com/tdbHFQJDQd
— Georgian Rugby (@GeorgianRugby) March 22, 2024
They wrote on X: “Following widespread debate across the rugby world after the conclusion of the Six Nations and the Rugby Europe Championships, Georgia Rugby is inviting Wales to play an autumn international test-match.
“There is a wonderful bond between the players and supporters of our two proud rugby nations and we have had some great competitive matches. It’s our honour to invite Wales to Tbilisi – and to play a return game in Cardiff whenever is convenient.
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“As Sam Warburton said, it’s what rugby lovers everywhere want to see!
“So, let’s make it happen. In Georgia, we like to say that ‘A guest is a gift’. We can think of no better gift than to host the Welsh in Tbilisi this autumn.”
Following the victory over Portugal, where the Lelos avenged their 18-18 draw in the World Cup, new head coach Richard Cockerill said his side are “probably too good” for the Rugby Europe Championship.
Speaking to RugbyPass after the victory, Cockerill, who was named head coach in January, also questioned whether his side can step up to the Six Nations. A challenge like this to Wales is the best way to determine where they are currently.
“There was a real edge because Portugal were a team that were definitely good enough to beat us and probably should have beaten us in the World Cup,” the former England assistant coach said.
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“With respect to all the other teams we are probably too good for this tournament and at the moment maybe we’re not quite good enough to be dining at the same table as the Super Rugby teams or the (UR) Championship teams or the Six Nations.
“There’s a real balance there where we just need to try, the politicians above me will decide where is best for us to play moving forward at some point. The thing we have got to do is just keep improving and playing a good brand of rugby and being as successful as we can.”