Wales issue swift response to cheeky challenge from Georgia

Shortly after receiving a challenge from Georgia to face them in a Test – after they finished at the bottom of the Six Nations standings – Wales have responded to the invitation from the Lelos.

Georgia issued their challenge to the Six Nations wooden spoonists on Friday after they were crowned Rugby Europe champions when they beat Portugal in Paris last Sunday.

Challenge issued

It is the seventh successive year that they have won the title and, after their latest triumph, the Lelos wrote the following on Georgian Rugby’s official X feed: “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.”

And the Welsh Rugby Union issued a prompt response which read: “We’ll be in touch…”

We'll be in touch… https://t.co/t4vCfIMTLZ

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 22, 2024

While we do not know whether it means that Warren Gatland‘s troops have accepted the Lelos’ challenge, it should be a fascinating battle if they do face off as their two most recent clashes have finished with them sharing a win apiece.

Wales clinched a 43-19 victory in their previous match which took place in Nantes at last year’s Rugby World Cup, while Georgia notched a famous 13-12 win in Cardiff in 2022.

That was the Lelos’ first-ever victory over Wales in the fourth encounter between the countries and it also resulted in Wales head coach Wayne Pivac being fired from his position.

He was replaced by Gatland, who returned to the role after a previous successful stint as Wales’ boss between 2007 and 2019.

Poor Six Nations campaign

Gatland guided Wales to the quarter-finals at the 2023 World Cup in France but named a young and inexperienced squad for this year’s Six Nations in which they lost all their matches to finish with the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003.

With Georgia regularly being crowned champions of Rugby Europe – which is the continent’s second tier international tournament – there has been talk each year of them replacing Italy who regularly finish at the bottom of the Six Nations standings.

However, the Azzurri were much more competitive in this year’s competition and finished in fifth position after ending their campaign with two victories, as many losses and a draw.

READ MORE: Georgia issues cheeky challenge to Wales as Sam Warburton calls for official Six Nations play-off