Partner Feature: Georgian Rugby Union
We’re proud to support the Georgian Rugby Union as they continue their remarkable rise in international rugby.
Rugby in Georgia has grown from grassroots passion to a national force in a remarkably short time. While modern rugby was introduced in the 1950s, the country’s connection to the sport runs deeper, with “Lelo burti,” an ancient Georgian game, seen as an early form of rugby and inspiring the national team’s nickname, The Lelos. After independence in the 1990s, Georgian rugby began its rapid rise, making its Rugby World Cup debut in 2003 and gaining respect for its powerful forward play and physical style. Today, rugby holds a special place in Georgian culture and continues to grow as a source of national pride.
Over the past decade, Georgia have quietly become one of rugby’s most captivating stories. From excelling in the Rugby Europe Championship year after year to producing players now starring in France’s Top 14, the Lelos have outgrown the “Tier 2” label many still attach to them.
Calls for Georgia’s inclusion in the Six Nations have grown louder, especially as they continue to outperform teams ranked above them. In March, they lifted their eighth consecutive Rugby Europe Championship title, underlining a simmering conversation in the rugby world: Has Georgia earned the right to test itself against the very best in Europe more regularly?
The rise of Georgian players in Europe’s elite leagues speaks volumes. Davit Niniashvili is lighting up Lyon with his pace and finishing ability. Props like Nika Abuladze at Montpellier and Irakli Aptsiauri also at Lyon bring power and technique that are the backbone of any serious Test side. Their experience in these high-performance environments feeds directly back into the national team.
World Cup performances have shown glimpses of what they can achieve, but it’s in the week-in, week-out tests of a competition like the Six Nations that Georgia could truly find their next level. Under head coach Richard Cockerill, the team is eager to prove they can compete, calling for a play-off against the lowest-ranked Six Nations side to earn their place.
Now, all eyes turn to July 5th, when Georgia face Ireland in Dublin. It’s more than a summer tour fixture; it’s a litmus test of where Georgian rugby truly stands as they prepare for the 2027 World Cup and push for regular top-tier competition. A strong showing could reignite debates around expanding or reforming the Six Nations, not out of sentiment, but out of a genuine sporting case for Georgia’s inclusion.
Georgia’s rise is a testament to what can be achieved with clear vision, development pathways, and a relentless commitment to improvement. Whatever happens in Dublin, it’s clear that the Lelos are no longer just knocking on the door of Europe’s elite, they are demanding to be let in!
At the heart of Georgia’s progress is a commitment to player welfare and connected care across every stage of their careers. Reflecting on the impact of utilising ScribePro Team, Mariam Giorgobiani, Chief Medical Officer’s Assistant at the Georgian Rugby Union, shared:
“The programme has helped us bring over 100 players onto one platform, allowing us to track their medical history, treatment progress, and return to play – as they move from U18s to U20s and senior squads.”
We’re proud to support the Georgian Rugby Union as they continue to make waves on the world stage!
Georgia take on Ireland this Saturday, 5th July in Tbilisi, with kick-off at 9:00pm local time (6:00pm BST).
