LONG READ Beka Gorgadze: 'Losing the REC final has to be a major turning point for Georgia'

“As soon as you try your best, you can be at peace afterwards. That’s the beauty of this life; that’s the beauty of this sport.”

Words from Beka Gorgadze, one of Georgia and Section Paloise’s most passionate representatives, who has devoted his entire career to accomplishing dreams and creating special moments, giving his all in every way he could.

That’s why, for him, it is imperative he and his teammates re-energise Georgia, after feeling the taste of defeat in the Rugby Europe Championship for the first time in almost 10 years.

“Since 2023, there have been some changes in the staff, player group and selection, and it is still an ongoing process that has affected the Rugby Europe Championship. It isn’t an excuse for our recent performances. All we want is to play team rugby, something we haven’t been able to do recently.

“We are sitting right now in a position that we have to rebuild. In my opinion, losing the REC final has to be a major turning point for us. It is the perfect time to make changes, given that the World Cup is a year and a half away. Right now, for us, it isn’t important to focus solely on results. We need to look beyond that.”

The mighty Lelos, who went on a spree of eight consecutive REC titles, were unseated by Portugal in the March final; a frustrating climax to a tournament they have long dominated. After the departure of Richard Cockerill, Georgia were under the interim charge of Italian icon Marco Bortolami. With the imminent arrival of former Castres boss Pierre-Henry Broncan, the squad is already looking ahead to more promising times.

Their inaugural Nations Cup features July matches against Uruguay, Samoa and Chile across South America, before taking on Hong Kong China, Tonga, Canada and USA four months later.

“The first thing for us is to tackle head-on the July Test window,” Gorgadze says. “It will be the real first steps for the new staff, as Pierre-Henry Broncan will finally be joining us and putting in place the system and the way we want to play.

“The goal for the Nations Cup is clear as day for us: to end in first place. We have been fighting for a long time to have more games against the top nations of the world, and while it is disappointing we won’t be facing them this year, we have to accept what’s in front of us and see it as a path for progress.”

It’s good to hear we are now making a bit more noise. Sometimes you have to go through hard times to find the right path, and that happened with us.

Gorgadze has skippered his nation and long been a go-to figure for successive coaches. He is already targeting next year’s World Cup and harbours painful memories of France 2023. Georgia approached the tournament in rude health and in a seemingly favourable pool featuring Eddie Jones’ Australia, a Wales group in its last knockings under Warren Gatland, Fiji and Portugal. They underperformed, losing three games and being held to a draw by their old REC rivals in a Toulouse thriller.

“I have been thinking about the 2027 Rugby World Cup for a long time, if I can be honest,” the 30-year-old says. “In 2023, we made several mistakes in the build-up for the World Cup, and we, as a team, want to avoid repeating the same mistakes, as in the end, it has an impact on our campaign.

“The expectations were really high, as in 2022 we managed to defeat not one but two top nations, Wales and Italy, which was a great achievement for us and showed what Georgia’s ceiling as a rugby nation really is. It was an amazing feeling, and I hope we can do it again in the future.”

Come next year in World Cup pool B, Georgia will be expected to take care of Romania, but Italy are a much tougher prospect than they were in 2022, while the heavyweight Springboks are gunning for a third straight Webb Ellis Cup. What can the rugby world expect from the Lelos?

“In rugby, we call it upsets,” says Gorgadze, smiling. “We acknowledge how fierce and great our rivals are, how well Italy is playing at the moment. But, and there’s always a but, when we last played them in November, we pushed them hard. This gives us a chance. Romania will also be a tricky tough game. And then the physical machine, the Springboks. Three exciting and different challenges that we are looking forward to.”

As for life in Pau, erstwhile captain Gorgadze has played his part in the club’s gradual transformation to Top 14 contenders. In the past six months, they have seen off serial champions Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles and were edged out in the play-offs by Racing 92.

Gorgadze is relishing this improvement since, when he joined the side in 2021, they were struggling to maintain their top-flight status. The mantle of captaincy added more personal responsibility.

was the oldest player in the squad for the REC this year which means that, while I still have some years in me, I need to focus on helping the team progress.

“It has been challenging, because as we went through some hard times with some highs and lows, people look to you for answers. It is much better to be captain when things are going well, and I am very thankful for it. To lead this team is an amazing feeling and motivates me to want to become a better player and teammate.

“It’s good to hear we are now making a bit more noise. Sometimes you have to go through hard times to find the right path, and that happened with us. For example, last year there were four games left, and we needed to win all of them to qualify for the Champions Cup. We had a big meeting between staff and the leadership team, and came to an agreement on what we needed to change and do better, and because of it, the team came together and clinched that goal.

“That mindset switch is one of the reasons we have been doing so well this season. We kept playing and working harder, and even our injury list has been nothing like past seasons. Add to that the arrival of some new additions to the pack, and you get this result. It is like a jigsaw puzzle that is coming together.”

Though still some way from retirement, Gorgadze understands his role in the game has completely changed since his professional breakthrough, and it is he the young Georgians look to for inspiration and guidance.

“Rugby is always changing. Nothing lasts forever. I was the oldest player in the squad for the REC this year which means that, while I still have some years in me, I need to focus on helping the team progress. If I can inspire and help the next generations, I will do that, because it’s how we can keep the Lelos’ legacy alive.”

Gorgadze has realised many of his childhood dreams, but he is not sated. There’s a Top 14 to claim, a Nations Cup to win and a World Cup mountain to scale.

“Well, there’s a little boy dreaming, and then there’s everything that could follow,” he reflects. “I dreamt of playing in the Top 14 and representing the Lelos since I was nine. When I achieved both goals, I wasn’t content; I wanted more. I am that kind of person, so my purpose as a Pau player is now to win the title. Everything starts with a dream, and we have a big one right now.”