- Georgia thrashed England at Under-20 level on Wednesday afternoon
- Georgia’s Rugby president now wants his nation to be in the Six Nations
- It was the second time in 12 months that England have lost to Georgia
Georgia Rugby president Soso Tkemaladze demanded his nation be included in the Six Nations at Under-20 level after his team secured a comprehensive junior victory over England.
Wednesday’s 45-17 defeat for England was another embarrassing result for the RFU and followed a first ever loss to Georgia which occurred this time last year.
The results show the ambitious Lelos have a good argument to join European rugby’s international elite. Georgia are already part of the Six Nations in its Under-18 competition.
Now they want to join at Under-20 level and, in time, the men’s and women’s Championships proper.
‘This impressive result and highly professional performance shows how strong Georgian rugby’s next generation is,’ Tkemaladze said after Georgia’s latest Under-20 success – one which came in their capital of Tbilisi.
Georgia thrashed England 45-17 at Under-20 level on Wednesday afternoon
It was a humiliating result for England and their second loss to Georgia in the last 12 months
Georgia Rugby president Soso Tkemaladze (pictured) wants his nation included in the Six Nations at Under-20 level moving forward
‘England are the Under-20 Six Nations champions and we’ve beaten them for the second year running, so I think our case for inclusion in the competition is now stronger than ever.’
England are in Georgia preparing for the Under-20 World Championship in South Africa. They had beaten the Lelos 31-7 last week in the first match between the two teams, but Georgia turned the tables on them significantly on Wednesday afternoon.
England Rugby’s social media feed seemed to be keen on keeping the extent of the defeat quiet, posting videos of Red Rose tries with the match score out of view.
Georgia’s senior men’s side is now coached by former England hooker Richard Cockerill and they are showing promising signs their development pathway is producing young talent.
At this stage, entry into the senior Six Nations looks unlikely but Tkemaladze is keen for change.
‘I am very proud of our boys, not just for today’s performance, but for the progress they have made on and off the pitch. This fantastic generation of players deserves more opportunities,’ he said.
‘I can’t wait to see this side run out in the World Championship next month. I know they will do themselves and the whole country proud.’
