2013 European Nations Cup / Six Nations B

[Da Grappla]

impressive Georgia pre-squad to play Belgium

Props : Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont) - Davit Kubriashvili (Toulon) - Vasil Kakovin (Toulouse) - Davit Khinchagishvili (Brive, ProD2)
Hookers : Irakli Natriashvili (Brive ProD2) - Rezo Belkania (Lelo Tbilissi) - Shalva Mamukashvili (Army Tbilissi)
Locks : Konstantin Mikautadze (Toulon) - Giorgi Chkhaidze (Tarbes, ProD2) - Vakhtang Maisuradze (Albi, ProD2) - Lasha Lomidze (Montpellier U23)
Back Row : Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier) - Dimitri Basilaia (Edinburgh Rugby) - Vito Kolelishvili (Clermont) - Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy ProD2) - Beka Bitsadze (Army Tbilissi)
Scrum halves : Giorgi Begadze (Batumi XV) - Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi - born 1993)
Fly halves : Merab Kvirikashvili (St Junien Federale1) - Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Tbilissi)
Centres : Tamaz Mchedlidze (Stade Montois, Amlin Cup and U23 - born 1993) - Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College England - born 1993) - Davit Kacharava (Rodez Federale1) - Tedo Zibzibadze (Périgueux Federale1)
Wings : Sandro Todua (Albi ProD2) - Irakli Machkhaneli (Armazi) - Giorgi Pruidze (Aia Kutaisi - born 1993)
Full backs : Irakli Kiasashvili (Lelo Tbilissi) - Beka Tsiklauri (Lokomotiv Tbilissi)

So, appart Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes), Jaba Bregvadze (Toulouse), Giorgi Jgenti (Montpellier) and Levan Datunashvili (Aurillac), that's the best team possible, i think.

Such a team should be giving a rough time to Scotland or something.

A relegation-promotion between Six Nations and ENC is needed. It's about time.

 

[Scan]

Anyone know the kick-off times for the first round?

 

[Tonga_rugby]

Anyone know the kick-off times for the first round?

Portugal v Romania - 15.30h (Portugal Time) GTM+0
Russia v Spain - 14.00h (Sochi Time) GTM+4
Bélgica v Georgia - 15.00h (Brussels Time) GTM+1

 

[Toko_11]

this should be an interesting enc as WC qualifying ones usually are.

Portugal vs Romania
Portugal starts its tournament with one of their most important games... if they want to qualify as EU2 they absolutely have to beat Romania at home or will put themselves in a rather difficult situation.
However Romania who is one step higher in trying to Challenge Georgia for EU1 spot will be determined to take home all the points possible. they have a habit of turning it up a notch during qualifiers and for the sake of entertainment we all want to see that happen.

Prediction:I think this will be a close encounter Romania should win with a narrow margin without bonus points.

Russia vs Spain
Unlike the first fixture this one can be.. well unpredictable. We haven't seen the best of Russia in a couple of years while Spain are generally an unpredictable side with their form varying from narrowly beating Germany to beating Georgia. I expect Russians to finally pick up their game after long absence and make a statement about their ambitions this year.
these teams are only two back line driven teams in this tournaments so it could be a good show with a lot of tries. I think defense will be decisive in this game and whoever does it better will go home a winner.

Prediction: Its a difficult pick but because its technically a home game for them I would say Russia will want this more and hence will come out winners.


side note both of these games will be interesting because they can easily go either way

Belgium vs Georgia

*Crickets*

 

[Amiga500]

A relegation-promotion between Six Nations and ENC is needed. It's about time.

How do you work it with the alternate home/away fixtures each year?

Make relegation/promotion an aggregate over 2 seasons?

 

[Nielsch]

Promotion / relegation between the 6 Nations and the ENC is the worst idea ever. It would just lead to Georgia and Scotland / Italy swapping divisions year in year out.

 

[Scan]

Promotion / relegation between the 6 Nations and the ENC is the worst idea ever. It would just lead to Georgia and Scotland / Italy swapping divisions year in year out.

No, it wouldn't. If a promotion-relegation system was put in place then it would take a good 5 years or so for any new teams to get promoted (provided promotion was determined by a play-off). No matter how bad Scotland or Italy are at any given time and no matter how good Georgia, Russia, Romania, etc are at the same time, the team fighting relegation would be motivated by an unbelievable passion to stay up. Involvement in the 6 Nations is a special thing to the nations currently competing in it and it's not something they would give up lightly. I genuinely believe that if Scotland/Italy had to play the ENC champions for their 6 Nations survival, they would put more into that match than any game either nation had ever played.

That's not to say the ENC team wouldn't be incredibly passionate about getting promoted but I think the quality of the incumbent 6 Nations team would shine through and introduce the ENC team to a higher level of rugby. Then after a few failed attempts (and some cracking matches) an ENC team would get promoted. And probably drop straight down again. But after a while, the 'weaker' teams would adapt and become competitive and an amazing new tournament would be born. And at that point, any one of the teams would be capable of promotion to the 6 Nations.

And Scotland and Italy would benefit too, from the increased pressure for results and competition with the ENC teams.
But, if it ever does happen I think they should cut the ENC 1A to five teams (drop Belgium) and ring-fence the top two divisions just to protect any shock slide down the divisions. They could always expand the tournament again when all 11 teams were playing at a similar standard.

 

[djwizard84]

Promotion / relegation between the 6 Nations and the ENC is the worst idea ever. It would just lead to Georgia and Scotland / Italy swapping divisions year in year out.

Perhaps it would be like that for the first couple of season but if could mean, as well, that each nation from the 6 nations "B" would invest even more and for sure there would be more tv broadcasting, more sponsors and so on.

 

[Da Grappla]

How do you work it with the alternate home/away fixtures each year?

Make relegation/promotion an aggregate over 2 seasons?

Hahaha...good question because I always have in mind my statement of relegation/promotion ready to come out of my mouth (fingers this time) but I don't know how would I work it out.

Happy to see more forum members agreeing with the needing (or at least not playing it down) of "something".

Georgia is like Japan (or Argentina until 2012 in Tier 1)...both teams need more international exposure than they have right now.

 

[Nielsch]

No, it wouldn't. If a promotion-relegation system was put in place then it would take a good 5 years or so for any new teams to get promoted (provided promotion was determined by a play-off). No matter how bad Scotland or Italy are at any given time and no matter how good Georgia, Russia, Romania, etc are at the same time, the team fighting relegation would be motivated by an unbelievable passion to stay up. Involvement in the 6 Nations is a special thing to the nations currently competing in it and it's not something they would give up lightly. I genuinely believe that if Scotland/Italy had to play the ENC champions for their 6 Nations survival, they would put more into that match than any game either nation had ever played.

That's not to say the ENC team wouldn't be incredibly passionate about getting promoted but I think the quality of the incumbent 6 Nations team would shine through and introduce the ENC team to a higher level of rugby. Then after a few failed attempts (and some cracking matches) an ENC team would get promoted. And probably drop straight down again. But after a while, the 'weaker' teams would adapt and become competitive and an amazing new tournament would be born. And at that point, any one of the teams would be capable of promotion to the 6 Nations.

And Scotland and Italy would benefit too, from the increased pressure for results and competition with the ENC teams.
But, if it ever does happen I think they should cut the ENC 1A to five teams (drop Belgium) and ring-fence the top two divisions just to protect any shock slide down the divisions. They could always expand the tournament again when all 11 teams were playing at a similar standard.

I was talking about direct promotion / relegation.

For now I'd say the ENC countries should focus on professionalizing their game and overall product. Once that has been done we can talk about indirect promotion / relegation through play-offs. However for now I think the stronger ENC countries should just get some games against Tier 1 countries during the June / November Test window.

 

[Nielsch]

My picks for this weekend:

Portugal to defeat Romania
The first two games will be really close, but I think Portugal will be able to pull off the win. Romania will be really strong though. They have underestimated Portugal last year (when Portugal defeated Romania 24-17 at home) and won't make that mistake this year. Another motivation will be that Romania played in the Repeachage Round to qualify for the RWC2011, a process they will want to avoid this time around. That said, this game will be really close I think and Portugal might be able to overcome the odds. The support of the home crowd will surely help them and with the away wins under their belt during the November tests (against Uruguay and Chile) they will have the confidence they surely need.

Russia to defeat Spain
Spain has been stepping up its game lately and are now taking their matches on the road, through the country. A sign that they really want to invest in growing rugby. With two wins in their pocket during their November tour of Africa (against Zimbabwe and Namibia) they will have built up their confidence to take on Russia. Russia however were heavily defeated during the November tour (against Canada and the USA) and are probably out for revenge. At the end of the day Russia will overcome this Spanish threat and be victorious in front of their home crowd.

Georgia to defeat Belgium
Recently promoted Belgium have become much stronger after they were destroyed by Argentina five years ago, but couldn't have asked for a worse opponent for their first match in the ENC division 1A. Normally Georgia entered its ENC matches with a B or C team, but this match will be played during a Test window which means most of Georgia's professional stars will be out on the pitch this weekend. There is no way Belgium is going to cope with them.

 

[dragos03]

I don't share your predictions, but I'm not gonna argue about them, I just want to correct a few facts:
- Portugal's 24-17 victory against Romania was not last year, but in 2011. Last year, Romania won 15-7 in Bucharest.
- many of the French-based players that boosted Spain's strength last year are no longer in the squad.
- Georgia never used a B or C team in the ENC (except maybe the matches against the Ukraine).

 

[RWC2011Fan]

Is Portugal still entirely amateur?

Romania has its own profesional league, right?

 

[DavidLg]

Interview of the belgian coach before this first game

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/news/newsid=2065097.html#belgium+baptism+fire

 

[Croket66]

Georgia line up
1.Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier HRC, 1990)
2.Shalva Mamukashvili (Army Tbilissi, 1988)
3.Davit Kubriashvili (RC Toulon, 1986)
4.Giorgi Chkhaidze (Tarbes PR, 1980, capitaine)
5.Konstantin Mikautadze (RC Toulon, 1991)
6.Vito Kolelishvili (ASM Clermont, 1989)
7.Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier HRC, 1984)
8.Dimitri Basilaia (Edinburgh Rugby, 1985)
9.Giorgi Begadze (Batumi XV, 1986)
10.Merab Kvirikashvili (AS St Junien, 1983)
11.Tamaz Mchedlidze (Stade Montois, 1993)
12.Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College Gloucester, 1993)
13.Davit Kacharava (Stade Rodez, 1985)
14.Sandro Todua (SC Albi, 1987)
15.Beka Tsiklauri (Lokomotiv Tbillissi, 1989)

16.Revaz Belkania (Lelo Tbilissi, 1982)
17.Davit Khinchagishvili (CA Brive, 1982)
18.Levant Chilachava (RC Toulon, 1991)
19.Shalva Sutiashvili (RC Massy, 1984)
20.Beka Bitsadze (Army Tbilissi, 1991)
21.Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi Rustavi, 1993)
22.Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Tbilissi, 1988)
23.Giorgi Pruidze (Aia Kutaisi, 1994)

 

[DavidLg]

Georgia line up
1.Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier HRC, 1990)
2.Shalva Mamukashvili (Army Tbilissi, 1988)
3.Davit Kubriashvili (RC Toulon, 1986)
4.Giorgi Chkhaidze (Tarbes PR, 1980, capitaine)
5.Konstantin Mikautadze (RC Toulon, 1991)
6.Vito Kolelishvili (ASM Clermont, 1989)
7.Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier HRC, 1984)
8.Dimitri Basilaia (Edinburgh Rugby, 1985)
9.Giorgi Begadze (Batumi XV, 1986)
10.Merab Kvirikashvili (AS St Junien, 1983)
11.Tamaz Mchedlidze (Stade Montois, 1993)
12.Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College Gloucester, 1993)
13.Davit Kacharava (Stade Rodez, 1985)
14.Sandro Todua (SC Albi, 1987)
15.Beka Tsiklauri (Lokomotiv Tbillissi, 1989)

16.Revaz Belkania (Lelo Tbilissi, 1982)
17.Davit Khinchagishvili (CA Brive, 1982)
18.Levant Chilachava (RC Toulon, 1991)
19.Shalva Sutiashvili (RC Massy, 1984)
20.Beka Bitsadze (Army Tbilissi, 1991)
21.Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi Rustavi, 1993)
22.Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Tbilissi, 1988)
23.Giorgi Pruidze (Aia Kutaisi, 1994)

Quite a rough challenge for belgium's baptism in this six nations B...

 

[Tonga_rugby]

Russia v Spain. 02/02/2013 - 14h (Sochi time GTM+4)

Spain Squad:
XV del León:
1. Joe Hutchinson
2. Juan Anaya
3. Jesús Moreno
4. Matt Cook
5. Jesús Recuerda
6. Joan Tudela
7. Jon Magunazelaia (c)
8. Lionel Pardo
9. Santiago Fernández
10. Jaime Nava
11. Javier Carrión
12. Corey Smith
13. Jakie Carter
14. Matías Tudela
15. César Sempere
--------
16. Daniel Marrón
17. Mikel Mungia
18. David Gugernadze
19. Francisco Usero
20. Oier Garmendía
21. Gregory Maiquez
22. Gauthier Minguillon
23. Anibal Bonan

 

[DavidLg]

Belgium vs Georgia is announced to be broadcasted live on this site:

http://www.e-k.tv/videos/299-belgian-rugby/1505-le-rugby-belge-le-succes-du-collectif

 

[LittleGuy]

I don't share your predictions, but I'm not gonna argue about them, I just want to correct a few facts:
- Portugal's 24-17 victory against Romania was not last year, but in 2011. Last year, Romania won 15-7 in Bucharest.
- many of the French-based players that boosted Spain's strength last year are no longer in the squad.- Georgia never used a B or C team in the ENC (except maybe the matches against the Ukraine).

Is this a problem due to them not being released? Or was the Spanish union tentative about using many players who were only qualifying through ancestry/ resdiency?

 

[dragos03]

I don't know. Someone said on another forum that Spain has decided not to include in the team for one year those players who have refused convocations once. That would include most of the missing players, who are professionals playing in France and have refused to go to the Namibia tournament in November due to club commitments. I don't know if that is true though.

Indeed, Spain has used a lot of ancestry-qualified French players last year, and it has been a big boost to their strength. In 2011, Spain lost 0-60 to Georgia and 8-64 to Romania. In 2012, with the French players in the team, Spain won 25-18 vs Georgia and 13-12 vs Romania. We will see how they do this year, with many (but not all) of those players missing (in the first match, at least).