[2018 November Tests] Italy vs Georgia (10/11/18)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi
Time: 15:00 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[bushytop]

Does anyone know whether this game will be aired in the UK, would love to watch it?

 

[bushytop]

After a bit of research, it will be shown on Free Sport at 13:55. A lot of games on around that time so might have to record it.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

After a bit of research, it will be shown on Free Sport at 13:55. A lot of games on around that time so might have to record it.

Excellent, I'll be watching this. Arguably one of the biggest matches in Georgian history; behind claiming third place in their group at the past RWC and unfortunately losing last year when they had a chance to go 10th in the world. Georgia reportedly have significant injury issues.

With the players at O'Sheas disposal and home advantage this should be fairly straightforward. These players are as fit as anyone and playing competitively in a top league against world class oppositon most weeks. There is absolutely no excuse to lose this match when you see the margins of victory Wales and Scotland had over Georgia in recent years.

My opposition to the 6N being a closed shop is so strong that I will be holding my nose and hoping for a quality match and a narrrow Georgian victory. But I suspect we'll get a nervous, low quality affair and Italy sneaking it.

Hoping for a landmark day in the history of rugby.

 

[bushytop]

Excellent, I'll be watching this. Arguably one of the biggest matches in Georgian history; behind claiming third place in their group at the past RWC and unfortunately losing last year when they had a chance to go 10th in the world. Georgia reportedly have significant injury issues.

With the players at O'Sheas disposal and home advantage this should be fairly straightforward. These players are as fit as anyone and playing competitively in a top league against world class oppositon most weeks. There is absolutely no excuse to lose this match when you see the margins of victory Wales and Scotland had over Georgia in recent years.

My opposition to the 6N being a closed shop is so strong that I will be holding my nose and hoping for a quality match and a narrrow Georgian victory. But I suspect we'll get a nervous, low quality affair and Italy sneaking it.

Hoping for a landmark day in the history of rugby.

Gutted to hear that there are some Georgian injuries but still hoping for a competitive game.

On the 6N closed shop... I know that there are too many games etc. but if Georgia could be introduced to what would then be a 7N, it would provide each Union with a guaranteed 3 home championship matches each year (rather than alternating between 3 & 2 as it currently stands). Championship home matches are such money spinners that on a year involving just the two home championship matches it can really affect the bottom line... as the RFU has recently had to deal with.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Who is in charge of the fixtures? This game is at 2:00, Scotland 2:30 and England 3:00. Going to have to record this and the England game then watch the Scotland game on the computer.

 

[Toko_11]

I've been looking forward to this fixture for a decade and now that it's finally here we have to field a line up full of kids and reserves ( Rugby gods are cruel.

Still hope we can keep it close at least.

 

[Welshdragon2000]

Second row is where the major issues are. There's problems at centre too. Front row is very strong for Georgia and to me the back row looks good also, not full strength but still good. There's injuries for Italy as well remember, lack of wingers and full backs will make it tough. If it's a wet and muddy affair then I think Georgia will win otherwise Italy will sneak it. Come on Lelos!

 

[Leinster Fan]

From a long term POV, this is easily the biggest game of the weekend. If Italy win well, it'll be a killer for Tier 2 rugby publicity wise and would kill off any talk of changes to the 6N format for years. Georgia winning likewise would have the exact opposite effect.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Italy: 15 Luca Sperandio, 14 Tommaso Benvenuti, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Tommaso Castello, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 ***o Tebaldi, 8 Abraham Jurgens Steyn, 7 Jake Polledri, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Dean Budd, 4 Alessandro Zanni, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (c), 1 Andrea Lovotti

Replacements: 16 Luca Bigi, 17 Cherif Traorè, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Marco Fuser, 20 Johan Meyer, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Luca Morisi

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Other than fourth choice at fullback this is as strong an Italian lineup as you will get. No excuses as Georgia have it worse with injuries.

 

[Tooting Carmen]

Even the All Blacks themselves admitted how difficult it is to overcome the Lelos pack. The trouble is that the latter's backs don't do that much.

 

[Welshdragon2000]

No Abzhandadze in the Georgian 23. Come on Haig, he can't be worse than the other fly halves! Georgian pack will wipe the floor with the Italians especially in the front row. Chilacava on the bench along with Zvania and Mamukashvilli too so there will no shortage of impact off the bench! Interestingly, the entire Georgian back row graduated from Georgia U20 rugby championship together and this is the first time they have played together for Georgia. Good players too and each have a bright future. Very young of course, 22, 21, 22 I believe.

I just did a quick check of the weather in Florence for Saturday - beautiful clear skies at around 20 degrees celcius. Italy should look to play in their backs a fair bit and avoid the game being played in the forwards as Georgia would want.

Heard that there's meant to 10,000 Georgians in Florence for this - wow, I initially heard 3-4,000 but 10,000 is amazing!

I cannot wait for this game, I just hope that my own game is cancelled so I can have an afternoon of Italy - Georgia, Scotland -Fiji, England - New Zealand and Wales - Australia. Not to mention Brazil vs Maori All Blacks (40k people estimated to watch!) and then the repechage games on Sunday. I love autumn internationals

 

[profitius]

With warm weather I expect the Italians to be too good for Georgia. It'll be a clash of styles as much as anything else.

 

[Croket66]

1- Mikheil Nariashvili (1990, Montpellier, France) - 51 caps
2- Jaba Bregvadze (1987, Sunwolves, Japan) - 51 caps
3- Davit Kubriashvili (1986, Grenoble, France) - 45 caps
4- Nodar Cheishvili (1990, Cornish Pirates, England) - 14 caps
5- Lasha Lomidze (1992, Aurillac, France) - 41 caps
6- Otar Giorgadze (1996, Brive, France) - 13 caps
7- Giorgi Tsutskiridze (1996, Aurillac, France) - 9 caps
8- Beka Gorgadze (1996, Bordeaux-Bègles, France) - 11 caps
9- Vasil Lobzhanidze (1996, Brive, France) - 35 caps
10- Lasha Khmaladze (1988, Batumi, Georgia) - 65 caps
11- Zurab Dzneladze (1992, Locomotive Tbilisi, Georgia) - 1 cap
12- Tamaz Mchedlidze (1993, Agen, France) - 47 caps
13- Merab Sharikadze (1993, Aurillac, France) - 57 caps
14- Giorgi Koshadze (1996, Kharebi Rustavi, Georgia) - 10 caps
15- Soso Matiashvili (1993, Lelo Saracens, Georgia) - 12 caps


16- Shalva Mamukashvili (1990, Enisei-STM, Russia) - 57 caps
17- Zurab Zhvania (1991, Wasps, England) - 34 caps
18- Levan Chilachava (1991, Montpellier, France) - 41 caps
19- Shalva Sutiashvili (1984, Soyaux-Angoulême, France) - 68 caps
20- Beka Bitsadze (1991, Narbonne, France) - 26 caps
21- Gela Aprasidze (1998, Montpellier, France) - 8 caps
22- Lasha Malaguradze (1986, Krasny Yar, Russia) - 87 caps
23- Giorgi Kveseladze (1997, Armazi Marneuli, Georgia) - 10 caps

 

[Croket66]

Georgia's bench looks more experienced
Forwards looks almost as good as starting boys while youngster Aprasidze and Kveseladze will add some pace in the backs
Soso Matiashvili is the domestic player to watch

 

[bushytop]

Heard that there's meant to 10,000 Georgians in Florence for this - wow, I initially heard 3-4,000 but 10,000 is amazing!

That is mightily impressive if true!

 

[ncurd]

I'd be surprised if most neutrals were not rooting for Georgia on this one.

 

[bushytop]

I'd be surprised if most neutrals were not rooting for Georgia on this one.

I have a soft spot for Georgia but as a fan of underdogs, I have found myself always rooting for Italy against anyone other than Wales over the years. A draw would be ideal!

 

[Aristodemus]

I'll be supporting Georgia that's for sure, it's a huge test this one. For what the potential ramifications are, it's the biggest test of the weekend.