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The Rugby World Eagerly Awaits Georgia-Wales Showdown
As reported by BBC Rugby Union on March 22, 2024, the rugby union world has been abuzz with excitement over a potential fixture between Georgia and Wales. The two teams find themselves at opposite ends of the Six Nations spectrum, with Georgia emerging victorious in the Rugby Europe Championship for the seventh consecutive year, while Wales finished bottom of this year’s Six Nations table without a single victory.
Fresh off their dominant performance in Paris, where they beat Portugal 36-10 in the Rugby Europe final, the Georgian Rugby Union has extended an invitation to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to face off in a two-match series. The Georgians are keen to host the Welsh in Tbilisi this autumn, with a return fixture in Cardiff to follow.
“It’s the fixture rugby fans everywhere are crying out for, so I really hope the Welsh can take up our invitation.”
- Ioseb Tkemaladze, Georgia Rugby Union President
Wales’ disappointing Six Nations campaign, which saw them suffer five consecutive defeats, has led to calls for greater competition and accountability within the top tier of European Test rugby. Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has been vocal in his belief that the WRU has become “complacent” and that no union should have an automatic right to a Six Nations spot without the threat of relegation.
Georgia, led by former England assistant coach Richard Cockerill, have long harbored ambitions of joining the elite Six Nations tournament. Their domestic club side, Black Lion, has already made its mark on the European stage, defeating Welsh region Scarlets 23-7 in Llanelli earlier this season. With the potential for a Black Lion tour of the United Kingdom in the works, the Georgians are determined to showcase their rugby prowess against the top teams.
The prospect of a Georgia-Wales showdown has captured the imagination of rugby fans worldwide. As the rugby world waits with bated breath, the stage is set for a thrilling clash that could have significant implications for the future of the game.
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