Wales 12-13 Georgia: World Rugby 'cannot ignore' this result, say victors

“Players hugged, kissed and cried at the final whistle after a display of sheer guts and determination. There were similar scenes in Cardiff, in March, as Italy celebrated beating Wales in the Six Nations”, the article said. Photo: BBC.com

Agenda.ge, Nov 20, 2022, Tbilisi, Georgia

BBC Sport on Saturday published an article covering the triumph of Georgia’s national rugby team against Tier 1 squad in an away game, defeating Wales and said Georgia “believed” their claim to join European rugby's elite “cannot now be ignored”, citing Georgia’s captain Merab Sharikadze "It would be unfair if World Rugby tried to pretend this didn't happen".

The BBC article called the result “extremely disappointing” for Wales and historic for a “proud” rugby nation, adding Georgia could trace its rugby roots back to the “ancient folk sport” of Lelo-burti, from which the national team took its nickname, “Lelos”.

Yet their claims to become part of an annual tier one competition, such as the Six Nations, have fallen on deaf ears”, the article read, adding “there has been a reluctance among Europe's most powerful countries to split the pot even further”.

The article noted Georgia would “get more chances” to press their case, “not least” the next time they face Wales, in the final pool match at next year's World Cup in France.

Players hugged, kissed and cried at the final whistle after a display of sheer guts and determination. There were similar scenes in Cardiff, in March, as Italy celebrated beating Wales in the Six Nations”, the article said.

Read the full story here.