Georgia survive scare from Rugby World Cup hosts

While Spain faced Ireland A and Hong Kong China met the Brumbies; Romania, Canada, USA, Georgia, Portugal and Uruguay squared off in the second weekend of the Autumn Test Matches.

The Lelos, Stejarii and Teros came out on top, banking precious points ahead of the World Cup draw.

Lelos survive early Eagles scare
Fans were treated to a superb spectacle at Batumi’s Adjarabet Arena, as the Lelos and Eagles were involved in a nine-try thriller, with the Georgians earning a 43–30 win.

Despite Georgia scoring the first points before the fifth-minute mark, the Eagles came out swinging and turned the tables inside ten minutes. Doming Besag scored twice, while Toby Fricker added another to put their team in control.

Luke Carty converted all three, giving the USA a 14-point lead with 20 minutes still to go until the break.

After a shaky opening twenty minutes, Richard Cockerill’s Lelos managed to cut down their indiscipline and finally retake control of proceedings. The Men’s Rugby Europe Championship holders struck three times, through Section Paloise’s Beka Gorgadze and Giorgi Kveseladze, who bagged two of his own.

Luke Carty slotted a penalty to narrow Georgia’s lead, with the USA trailing by two when Luke Pearce blew for half-time.

The USA fly-half added three more points five minutes into the second half — their last time in front. The Georgian pack, ruthless and well-oiled, overpowered the visitors and pinned them inside their 22 for most of the half.

After several close calls, prop Luka Japaridze forced his way over for Georgia’s fifth try.

Carty gave his side a glimmer of hope with a third penalty, but it proved in vain as scrum-half Gela Aprasidze stepped through a couple of tackles to finish.

After a winless July, the Lelos grabbed a precious victory ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw.

Teros claw classy win in Lisbon
Portugal hosted Uruguay at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor and, despite fielding a star-packed team, the Lobos were unable to counter the Teros pack as the visitors claimed a 26–8 win.

In the opening twenty minutes, Portugal looked the sharper side, working their way into Uruguay’s half and creating several promising chances that fizzled out under relentless defence.

Fans had to wait until the 21st minute for the deadlock to break, with Uruguay earning their first points through a Santiago Álvarez penalty.

Under pressure after a poor run of results, Portugal hit back six minutes later when US Colomiers winger Rodrigo Marta dived over in the corner to put the hosts ahead.

Although Portugal went to the sheds with a two-point advantage, the game swung dramatically after the break.

After Portuguese stalwart Samuel Marques slotted a penalty, Uruguay hit their stride and piled on 23 unanswered points, starting with another Álvarez penalty.

The scrum half cunningly set his team on the right path, needling pinpoint passes that pushed Uruguay to camp inside Portugal’s 22. After much insistence, the Teros finally broke through with replacement front-row Francisco Suárez, placing the ball down.

Back-row sensation Manuel Ardao followed soon after, underlining Uruguay’s dominance as Portugal were left chasing shadows.

Álvarez added another three before winger Bautista Basso sprinted clear to score Uruguay’s third and final try.

Having booked their World Cup place in August, Uruguay are on course to finish 15th in the World Rugby rankings, while Portugal have managed just four Test wins since Simon Mannix took charge.

Romania back on track
David Gérard’s Romania bounced back from a difficult July window as the Stejarii claimed a 31–21 win over Canada at the Stadionul Arcul de Triumf.

The hosts started brightly, taking an early lead through two penalty goals from scrum-half Alin Conache inside five minutes.

Conache added two more before Canada’s blindside Mason Flesch pulled one back with a try, cutting Romania’s lead to five heading into the break.

Both sides struggled to find gaps, explaining the lack of points when referee Ben Breakspear sent them in for half-time.

Propelled by the home crowd, Romania ultimately found their way into the opposite in-goal area, with hooker Ovidiu Cojocaru steering a successful driving maul.

Canada thought they had scored a second but it was ruled out for obstruction, and Romania struck again through No.8 Cristi Chiric? after a patient 12-phase build-up.

With the game slipping away, Canada’s set-piece finally clicked and lock Piers von Dadelszen powered over for his first Test try.

The Romanians didn’t flinch, adding one final score through Tevita Manumua, who touched down after a brilliant wide pass from Hinckley Vaovasa.

With time nearly up, the Maple Leafs had the final say through replacement lock Barnaby Waddell.

The Stejarii ended a three-match losing streak and will host the USA next week at the same venue. Canada head to Batumi to face the Lelos.