Georgia throw down the gauntlet in an epic WWE-esque challenge to Wales
Nodar Cheishvili of Georgia celebrates at the final whistle during the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, rugby union test match between Wales and Georgia on November 19, 2022 at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.
In a move we associate more with WWE, MMA and professional boxing, Georgia have publicly challenged Wales to a Test match following their Rugby Europe Championship success and the Welsh’s Six Nations wooden spoon.
The Georgian Rugby Union issued the challenge on their social media platform on Friday, a few days following their 36-10 victory over Portugal in the Rugby Europe Championship (REC) final.
Georgia’s unyielding dominance in the REC over the years has seen an impressive record of winning 13 of the last 14 tournaments, including a remarkable seven in succession.
Georgia v Wales in Tbilisi
Georgia’s recent triumph in the REC has sparked a debate among rugby supporters and pundits, reigniting the Six Nations promotion and relegation play-off discussion. The perennial wooden spoon finishers, Italy, had held the unenviable position for eight consecutive tournaments until 2024 when Wales went winless.
Wales finished in sixth place for the first time since 2003 – losing all five of their Six Nations games.
Although Wales comfortably beat Georgia at last year’s World Cup, they lost to them at the Principality Stadium 16 months ago.
“Following widespread debate across the rugby world after the conclusion of the Six Nations and Rugby Europe Championship, champions Georgia is inviting Wales to to play an autumn international test-match,” a post on the official Georgian Rugby social media accounts read with video of their celebrations of their victory over Wales attached.
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“There is a wonderful bond between the players and supporters of our two proud rugby nations and we have had some great competitive matches. It’s our honour to invite Wales to Tbilisi – and to play a return game in Cardiff whenever is convenient.
“As Sam Warburton said, it’s what rugby lovers everywhere want to see! So, let’s make it happen. In Georgia, we like to say that ‘A guest is a gift’. We can think of no better gift than to host the Welsh in Tbilisi this autumn.”
🏆 Following widespread debate across the rugby world after the conclusion of the @sixnationsrugby and @rugby_europe championships, @GeorgianRugby is inviting @welshrugbyunion to play an autumn international test-match. pic.twitter.com/tdbHFQJDQd
— Georgian Rugby (@GeorgianRugby) March 22, 2024
Wales’ 2024 autumn Test schedule has not yet been announced, although those fixtures are always played on home soil, rendering any trip to Tbilisi a likely non-starter.
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Double header?
Georgian Rugby Union president Ioseb Tkemaladze added. “It’s my great pleasure to invite our dear friends from Wales to play Georgia in Tbilisi this autumn.
“After a thrilling Six Nations and Georgia’s seventh success in a row in the Rugby Europe Championship, it is the fixture rugby fans everywhere are crying out for, so I really hope the Welsh can take up our invitation.
“Of course, we would be equally happy to play them in Cardiff – where we won a famous victory in 2022. Maybe a double-header can be arranged.
“There is a strong connection between our two proud rugby nations, and we have had some exciting contests recently. We are rugby brothers.”
Georgia head coach Richard Cockerill added that he would be “equally happy” to play in Wales, making it a double-header that “would hugely excite supporters of both nations”.
While the Welsh Rugby Union is yet to make an official statement, they did reply to Georgia calling them out on social media with a post reading “We’ll be in touch…”