17:00 GET / 13:00 GMT – Georgia v Spain
19:00 GET / 15:00 GMT – Emerging Italy v Argentina Jaguars
The Tbilisi Cup commences this Saturday, 14 June in the Georgian Cup Division 1A rivals Georgia meet Spain at Avchala Stadium. Georgia and Spain last met in ENC Division 1A in Madrid in March and Georgia came out on top, 24-17.
Funded by the International Rugby Board, the Tbilisi Cup plays an important high-performance role for participating nations and for the ongoing growth of Rugby in Georgia. This is the second year the competition has been staged after the success of last year’s inaugural competition which saw South Africa President’s XV take the spoils.
Tough opener
Georgia coach Milton Haig is looking forward to the opportunity to blood some new players as he continues preparations ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup. “We are missing a few frontline players but this is a chance for us to grow our side and create more depth,” said the Kiwi.
“There is still plenty of experience in our squad this year and the team understands our expectations. It is important we get off to a good start against Spain on Saturday in what will be a tough first game.”
For Spain coach Santiago Santos the tournament is also vital in terms of squad development. “Our focus now is building for the World Cup in 2019. It is a pleasure to be here and competing against Georgia, Italy and Argentina. The players will give it their all.”
Pablo Feijoo, scrum half and captain of the Spanish squad, knows that his side will have their work cut out in their opening match against the host team. “It is a really tough game to start off with, we are here to build a team in the lead up to the World Cup in 2019, which we are targeting after failing to qualify for next year’s tournament in England.
“We have a young, inexperienced side but we will be courageous, confident and fight against Georgia. We know it will be a tough game but we are here to develop our rugby and improve as well.”
| Last 10 Games played between the Georgia and Spain | ||||
| 8-Mar-14 | Spain | 17 – 24 | Georgia | |
| 9-Mar-13 | Georgia | 61 – 18 | Spain | |
| 11-Feb-12 | Spain | 25 – 18 | Georgia | |
| 12-Feb-11 | Georgia | 60 – 00 | Spain | |
| 27-Feb-10 | Georgia | 17 – 9 | Spain | |
| 28-Feb-09 | Spain | 11 – 55 | Georgia | |
| 26-Apr-08 | Georgia | 22 – 20 | Spain | |
| 17-Mar-07 | Spain | 31 – 17 | Georgia | |
| 28-Oct-06 | Georgia | 37 – 23 | Spain | |
| 22-Feb-04 | Spain | 6 – 6 | Georgia | |
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| Games Played | 14 | Games Played | 14 | |
| *Games Won | 10 | *Games Won | 3 | |
| *Games Lost | 3 | *Games Lost | 10 | |
| Games Drawn | 1 | Games Drawn | 1 | |
| *Longest Winning Streak | 4 | *Longest Winning Streak | 1 | |
| *Longest Losing Streak | 1 | *Longest Losing Streak | 4 | |
| *Largest Points For | 61 | *Largest Points For | 36 | |
| *Largest Points Against | 36 | *Largest Points Against | 61 | |
| *Largest Winning Margin | 60 | *Largest Winning Margin | 14 | |
| *Largest Losing Margin | -14 | *Largest Losing Margin | -60 | |
| *Total Points For | 460 | *Total Points For | 227 | |
| *Avg Points For | 32.86 | *Avg Points For | 16.21 | |
| *Total Points Against | 227 | *Total Points Against | 460 | |
| *Avg Points Against | 16.21 | *Avg Points Against | 32.86 | |
| *Total Points Difference | 233 | *Total Points Difference | -233 | |
| *Avg Points Difference | 16.64 | *Avg Points Difference | -16.64 | |
| * = By Georgia | * = By Spain | |||
POSSIBLE RR World Rankings outcome on Result
GEO (on 70.64 points) at home -vs- ESP (on 60.64 points)
| Possible Outcome | Rating Point Exchange |
New GEO Rating |
New ESP Rating |
Will ESP overtake GEO? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| If GEO win by 1-15 points | 0.000 | 70.64 | 60.64 | No |
| If GEO win by more than 15 | 0.000 | 70.64 | 60.64 | No |
| If result is a draw | 1.000 | 69.64 | 61.64 | No |
| If ESP win by 1-15 points | 2.000 | 68.64 | 62.64 | No |
| If ESP win by more than 15 | 3.000 | 67.64 | 63.64 | No |
Georgia: Beka Tsiklauri; Tamaz Mchedlidze, Davit Kacharava, Rezo Gigauri, Alexander Todua; Lasha Malaguradze, Giorgi Begadze; Zurab Zhvania, Shalva Mamukashvili, Davit Kubriashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Kote Mikautadze, Shalva Sutiashili ©, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Dimitri Basilaia.
Replacements: Simon Maisuradze, Giorgi Mchedlishvili, Lasha Lomidze, Givi Berishvili, Giorgi Rokhvadze, Lasha Khmaladze, Murazi Giorgadze
Spain: Javier Carrion; Alberto Diaz, Ignacio Gutierrez Muller, Daniel Snee, Segio Fernanadez; Mariano Garcia, Facundo Munilla; Francisco Javier Sanz;, Juan Anaya, Jesus Moreno, Alejandro Blanco, Victor Sanchez, Manuel Mora, Adam Newton, Jaime Nava ©
Replacements: Gabriel Agustin Ortiz, Romain Asensi, Guillermo Espinos, Jose Luis Del Valle, Francisco Coplet, Alejandro Gutierrez Muller, Pablo Fontes
IRB Tbilisi Cup 2014 Fixtures (all times are local)
Saturday, June 14
17:00 – Georgia v Spain
19:00 – Emerging Italy v Argentina Jaguars
Wednesday, June 18
17:00 – Georgia v Argentina Jaguars
19:00 – Emerging Italy v Spain
Sunday, June 22
17:00 – Georgia v Emerging Italy
19:00 – Argentina Jaguars v Spain
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by entering the code “rugbyredefined“
