Nickname(s) | Lelos |
---|---|
Emblem | Borjgali |
Union | Georgian Rugby Union |
Head coach | Milton Haig |
Captain | Merab Sharikadze |
Most caps | Merab Kvirikashvili (106) |
Top scorer | Merab Kvirikashvili (833) |
Top try scorer | Mamuka Gorgodze (26) |
Home stadium | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium |
World Rugby ranking | |
Current | 12 (as of 13 November 2017) |
Highest | 11 (2016) |
Lowest | 23 (2009) |
First international | |
Georgia 16–3 Zimbabwe (Kutaisi, Georgia; 12 September 1989) |
|
Biggest win | |
Georgia 98–3 Czech Republic (Tbilisi, Georgia; 8 April 2007) |
|
Biggest defeat | |
Georgia 6–84 England (Perth, Australia; 12 October 2003) |
|
World Cup | |
Appearances | 4 (First in 2003) |
Best result | 3rd in the pool in 2015 |
Website | www |
The Georgia national rugby union team (Georgian: საქართველოს მორაგბეთა ეროვნული ნაკრები) nicknamed The Lelos is administered by the Georgian Rugby Union. The team takes part in the annual Rugby Europe Championship (previously named European Nations Cup) and participates in the Rugby World Cup, which takes place every four years.
Georgia is currently considered a second tier rugby union nation and is one of the world's fastest growing rugby nations. The Lelos participate in the Rugby Europe Championship, winning the tournament in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons. The bulk of the national squad are based in France, in both the Top 14 and lower divisions. This is a practice that was popularized by former national team coach, Claude Saurel, a Frenchman.
Rugby is one of the most popular sports in Georgia. The national team qualified for the Rugby World Cup four times, first in 2003 – playing against rugby powers such as England and South Africa. The Lelos recorded their first ever World Cup win in 2007 Rugby World Cup, where they beat Namibia 30–0. As of 6 February 2017, Georgia are ranked 12th in the world by World Rugby. Since 2013, Georgia has hosted the World Rugby Tbilisi Cup.