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BBC Rugby Union: Georgia Clinch Seventh Consecutive Rugby Europe Title Under Cockerill
Published: 21:28 BST, 19 March 2024 | Updated: 17:47 BST, 20 March 2024
In the world of BBC rugby union, Georgia has continued its dominance of the Rugby Europe championship, clinching their seventh consecutive title under the guidance of head coach Richard Cockerill. The rugby union news comes just a day after the conclusion of the 2024 Six Nations tournament, showcasing Georgia’s prowess in the tier below the prestigious competition.
Cockerill, a former England assistant, took charge of the Georgian rugby union team after their disappointing performance at last year’s Rugby World Cup. In his debut campaign as the Lelos head coach, the team delivered a resounding 36-10 victory over 2023 World Cup darlings Portugal in the Rugby Europe final held in Paris.
“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,” Cockerill told Mail Sport, acknowledging Georgia’s current position in the rugby union landscape. “We’re stuck in the middle a little bit. We’ve got huge potential. We can be so much better. I’m very optimistic for the future.”
The rugby union news highlights Georgia’s dominance in the second-tier Rugby Europe competition, a position they have grown accustomed to in recent years. However, Cockerill and the Lelos are eager to test their skills against the rugby union elite, with a busy summer schedule lined up that includes matches against Japan, Fiji, and Australia.
As the rugby world looks towards the implementation of the new Nations Championship in 2026, the question remains whether Georgia will be granted the opportunity to compete alongside the Six Nations powerhouses. Cockerill believes his team needs more regular competition against top-tier opponents to continue their progress in the sport.
“We need the opportunity like Italy have had in the last 20 years – whether it’s at United Rugby Championship level or Test level – for us to improve,” Cockerill said. “The jump is very big. We need regular competition.”
With their seventh consecutive Rugby Europe title and a growing pool of talented players, the BBC rugby union news suggests that Georgia is poised to make a significant impact on the international rugby union scene, provided they are given the chance to compete against the game’s elite.
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