Romanian Rugby

[dragos03]

How many of Georgia's France-based players will feature?

All of them, except a few who are banned or injured.

 

[amz]

1. Mikheil Nriashvili (Montpellier/FR)
2. Jaba Bregvadze(Worchester Warriors/ENG)
3. Anton Peikrishvili (Bayonne/FR)
4. Giorgi Chkhaidze (Lille/FR)
5. Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes/FR)
6. Shalva Sutiashvili(Soyaux-Angoulême/FR)
7. Mamuka Gorgodze(Toulon/FR)
8. Beka Gorgadze(Stade Montois/FR)
9. vasil Lobjanidze(Armazi Tbilisi, next season Brive/FR)
10. Lasha Khmaladze(Lelo Saracens)
11.Sandro Todua(Lelo Saracens)
12. Tamaz Mchedlidze(Agen/FR)
13. Davit Kacharava(Enisey/RU)
14. Giorgi Pruidze(Aia Kutaisi)
15. Merab Kvirikashvili(Montlucon/FR)

Bench:
23. Giorgi Aptsiauri(Armia Tbilisi)
22. Lasha Malaguradze(Krasny Yar/RU)
21. Giorgi Begadze(Qochebi)
16. Shalva mamukashvili(Glasgow Warriors/SCO)
17.Kakha Asieshvili(Brive/FR)
17. Levan Chilachava(Toulon/FR)
18. Kote Mikautadze(Toulon/FR)
19. Lasha Lomidze(Beziers/FR)

 

[Croket66]

Malaguradze joined Krasny Yar (Russia)
Some first choices are on the bench but that's the strongest squad possible, considering Tkhilaishvili and Sharikadze injuries and Kolelishvili banned

 

[amz]

Thanks, fixed

 

[tommyc121]

first of all good luck to romania against georgia seems georgia getting big guns out it will be intresting game. and secondly i thought this be intresting comment made by itlay captain in a paper today.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35836852

have read.

 

[dragos03]

Funny how he claims that Romania has never beaten France Romania has won against France 8 times, Italy only 3 times.

He speaks about history and historic results as a reson for Italy to stay in the 6 Nations regardless of their awful form. Actually Romania has a much longer rugby history than Italy, our first test was in 1919, they only played their first match 10 years later, in 1929.

This interview is a good example of the complete ignorance of many 6N players and officials.

Apparently, the RFU supports inviting Romania and Georgia to the U20 Six Nations. I think this would be great for us and a first dent in the ringfence surrounding the competition. Romanian junior teams are underfunded, poorly coached and have terrible results (player development basically takes place at Superliga level), this inclusion would pretty much force the FRR to finally invest in junior rugby.

I wonder if the RFU considering this proposal is a consequence of a shady deal behind close doors, with Octavian Morariu deciding not to run against Beaumont allowing him an uncontested election in return for his support for this move.

 

[tommyc121]

i agree fully. itlay rugby is in trouble i think its massive pressure coming now i think he no it deep down with these comments. i think rfu are full support just other international rugby board arent why i have no idea. hopefully tommorow prove these sides can put on show. as already six nations is already wrap up as english supporter no hope france have got beating england more intrested in result of romania game for sure i think others will to.

 

[FrankHeaven]

Poor of the BBC to report Parisse's comments as fact about Romania not having beaten France. I shall send the BBC an email.

A more balanced article comes from The Guardian, which has generally been pro expansion of the 6N. You will see that many of the commenters are supportive too: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/17/georgia-romania-six-nations-cup-final

 

[dragos03]

It's indeed a poor article given the high standards of the BBC but it's great that the issue of 6N relegation has made its way into the mainstream media in the UK and is mentioned more and more. A very nice article from the Guardian, even if it starts with another factual error, in the caption of the first photo.

In other news, the Romanian domestic season kicks off today with the first round of the Romanian Cup. Dolce Sport will broadcast 1-2 matches every round, with some other games streamed live on www.rugbytv.ro
Baia Mare - Poli Iasi
CSM Bucuresti - Dinamo
Steaua - U Cluj
CS Navodari - Bucovina Suceava
RCM Galati - RC Barlad
Stiinta Petrosani - CS Manastur
Stejarul Buzau - CSU Arad

 

[dragos03]

Georgia - Romania 38-9

A shameful result for Romanian rugby, I hope that Lynn Howells is happy with the result of his experiments. I don't think the youngsters used today have learned much from this defeat which would only make people think there some big gap between the two teams. As expected, the weak front row used was completely dominated in scrums, lineouts, mauls and rucks so we rarely had the ball.

Also, I hope that Apostol and Botezatu will be finally removed from the national team. The Georgians targeted Apostol from the first minute and half of their tries were caused his his mistakes.

 

[tommyc121]

i watched the game georgia clearly better side. i would expect bit more from romania personally they were poor however dragos is right lot of pack missing personally fly half is i feel little issue to. but sure they bounce back players and all players in super liga and cup will get there confdence back. sorry to bang on there massive talk in papers now relgation and georgia are in frame to come up or take on itlay which be so intresting on paper georgia could well win. massive talk going on about this i think its going to happen.

 

[FrankHeaven]

sorry to bang on there massive talk in papers now relgation and georgia are in frame to come up or take on itlay which be so intresting on paper georgia could well win. massive talk going on about this i think its going to happen.

There has been a lot of comment on the crowd in Tbilisi, which apparently was larger than for the Ireland-Scotland game. Also Italy getting such a beating in Wales added fuel to the relegation/promotion debate.

The problem is, the existing 6N are unlikely to countenance any prospect of relegation because of the cataclysmic financial consequences. England and France may be open to the idea, but the Celtic countries and Italy would almost certainly block the proposal.

So there has to be expansion - a bigger top tier of European rugby which would leave the existing 6N countries less fearful of relegation. Then we get into the debate about what format to use? Personally I would like two groups of four, or even two groups of six, climaxing with semi-finals and a final. But the 6N will want to keep their traditional money-spinning fixtures, so maybe one division of eight would be more palatable to them. But then you get the question of whether two extra rounds of matches can be squeezed into the season...

So there is no obvious answer as to what an expanded 6N/ENC would look like. But at least the debate is getting some media coverage.

 

[dragos03]

How about a format of 8, where the best 4 teams (England, France, Wales, Ireland) play against each other every year but only play against 2 of the lesser teams (Scotland, Italy, Romania, Georgia) by rotation every year? That way you can have expansion while keeping the same calendar and limiting the number of meaningless fixtures where for example England just trashes Italy, Romania or Georgia.

Half of the Arcul de Triumf Stadium has been demolated, it seems that the reconstruction works will start this year. I've heard that the Nations Cup in June will be played on the Ghencea Stadium, which is quite strange. That stadium is not in good shape (the pitch is good at least) and doesn't have lighting, it won't be possible to play 3 matches per day there unless some are scheduled in the morning.

Here are the results of the first round of the Romanian Cup:
Baia Mare - Poli Iasi 34-12
CSM Bucuresti - Dinamo 7-14
Steaua - U Cluj 45-15
CS Navodari - Bucovina Suceava 43-5
RCM Galati - RC Barlad 17-15
Stejarul Buzau - CSU Arad 20-5

 

[tommyc121]

i still think relgation battle is easier. something to fight for any team could go down excpet wales or lreland or england. others for sure up for grabs put more pressure on scotland france itlay who ones be in danger for sure. play off at home away for bottom side in six nations is fair result. this case be itlay there simply gone down hill not improved excuse flooding in next year dont improve down bottom again time for them to go. let georgia have crack or romania who tops tier 2. simple makes it exciting i feel fans will love it. love to fly to bucharest or georgia to watch them play england. even if they will lose still experceince that counts only make them grow.

 

[FrankHeaven]

love to fly to bucharest or georgia to watch them play england. even if they will lose still experceince that counts only make them grow.

Agree. People here go on about the 6N tradition but it can also feel stale and incestuous, and don't get me started about how boring it's become seeing NZ, SA, Australia over here every single autumn now. It used to be once very four years and then it felt fresh and exciting.

- - - Updated - - -

How about a format of 8, where the best 4 teams (England, France, Wales, Ireland) play against each other every year but only play against 2 of the lesser teams (Scotland, Italy, Romania, Georgia) by rotation every year? That way you can have expansion while keeping the same calendar and limiting the number of meaningless fixtures where for example England just trashes Italy, Romania or Georgia.

That sound quite complex, and I doubt Scotland would buy it...

Another suggestion I've seen elsewhere is for a European nations tournament played during the mid-point of the World Cup cycle. This would coincide with Lions tours so the British and Irish teams would not be full strength. It could conceivably involve two groups of four, then semi-finals and a final played over five weekends. That might be more realistic as a stepping stone towards expanding the 6N into a proper pan-European tournament.

 

[amz]

What about two groups of 4 like:

Group A:
1st place
3rd place
5th place
7th place

Group B
2nd place
4th place
6th place
8th place

or something along these lines and round robin for each group (3 matches)

than finals between each correspondent place of each group which will determine the final standing.

So a 8N seasons would look like:

Group A:
England
Ireland
France
Georgia

Group B:
Wales
Scotland
Italy
Romania

 

[tommyc121]

it all depends could be good way in. but then people say spoils six nations so on. but i am all for change personally love yo see georgia or romania top dogs in tier 2 come play big boys be fresh intresting. still think relgation be way more intresting i think bottom teams of six nations there is big gap if romania or georgia play these team improve them a lot make them stronger for world cup. of course flip side if itlay go down it will knock there confdence down but itlay use to be brilliant play some good rugby last 3 years gone down hill and just getting found out excpet from france who probley worst teams in six nations. mind you france use to be good side but spoiled it now and even tho they played better against england they were never going to win. so lot of talk now i hope this comes true as said it be good for six nations fresh side in could cause upset. i really think this time to push for sure. lots of talk in papers here in england about it even will carling likes idea so cant be that bad lol.

 

[amz]

those who oppose to the idea of relegation have a point, it may financially destroy one Union.

 

[RugbyPUBtbilisi]

those who oppose to the idea of relegation have a point, it may financially destroy one Union.

100%. Italy must be secured in 6 nations. Expansion to 7th nation is best way. 7 nations with Promotion/Relegation to ENC winners.
Wooden spoon holder must play home-away match to ENC winner. Winner between those two goes to 7 nations.

Also 7 nation will give 3-3 home away cycle to member teams. 6 more matches = 1/6 more income.

 

[Thingimubob]

100%. Italy must be secured in 6 nations. Expansion to 7th nation is best way. 7 nations with Promotion/Relegation to ENC winners.
Wooden spoon holder must play home-away match to ENC winner. Winner between those two goes to 7 nations.

Also 7 nation will give 3-3 home away cycle to member teams. 6 more matches = 1/6 more income.

Issue is, can you fit an extra international game into an already very congested NH season.

I'd certainly be open to the idea if the potential changes to the season goes ahead, but certainly can't see any of the clubs getting no board with anything just yet.