Pro14: Georgia in talks to join competition

By Chris JonesBBC rugby union correspondent

Last updated on 27 February 2019.From the section Rugby Union95

The Georgian rugby union team in training — The Georgia team are hoping to benefit from training with England

Georgian rugby is in talks to join the Pro14 in a bid to break into the top tier of the international game.

Los Lelos have consistently been one of the top tier-two teams in Europe, without being given regular exposure at the highest level.

But head coach Milton Haig told BBC Sport that discussions have started over a Georgian side joining one of the leading leagues.

"We've had different talks with different competitions," he said.

The Pro14 has regularly voiced its desire to expand the league, with Haig "hopeful" a Georgian outfit could be involved in the "next couple of years".

"The next step for us is trying to get into a franchise competition - it could be the Currie Cup, it could be the Pro14, it could be Super Rugby," Haig added.

"Like most countries, to be successful at a high level of international rugby you need a stepping stone.

"Preferably it is European but after that as long as it is competitive and cost-effective then we will take anything."

Six Nations attitude 'disappointing'

Despite Georgia being 12th in the World Rugby rankings, the Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel recently ruled out any changes to the structure of the championship in an interview with BBC Sport.

"It's always disappointing because you would hope one day there might be an opening for them to be a bit more risky and open the door," Haig said.

"I can understand certain things in terms of the business model, but our job is just make sure that we can represent ourselves with every opportunity and that we hopefully we get more credibility and exposure."

Georgia are currently in Oxford training with Eddie Jones' England squad during the Six Nations fallow week.

"This is the second time we have had the opportunity and we are very grateful to Eddie and England Rugby," Haig said.

"It's an awesome opportunity and hugely beneficial."

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95 comments

I agree Bob.I wanna playScotland and Scottish teams and mix withScottish supporters.Love them coming to Wales, it is now a tradition.I'm actually fed up of things being changed because of the PCbrigade. The contribution of Scotland over the entire history of rugby in this country is massive.They have made the 6 nations what it is and no country that has created this tournament should be forced out
I thought this was about Pro 14! @1 is so intent on insulting Scotland that he comments on the 6N's, if he wasn't so ignorant he would be aware that Scottish teams are very competitive in the Pro 14 competition in spite of poor results so far in the 6N's From an Ulster fan!
@1
Footie fan = idiot
Was about to post a serious comment until i saw #1.
I fear that if anything, rugby is not expanding but going backwards and turning into an exclusive club like cricket. People might make fun of certain countries but across the world, the tier one teams are making it harder for tier 2 and lower to compete with them (out of some inferiority complex).
Getting a georgian club team into Pro 14 will provide more revenue than the two SA teams combined
Hope they get a warmer response than they've had from the Six Nations - utterly disgusting how the door has been slammed in their face. Yes they're still behind the other 6N teams, but how can you not even have a playoff between 6N loser and Rugby Europe Championship winner? How is rugby ever going to grow if the international game is ring-fenced?
The problem is none of the current six nations teams will sign any agreement which could see them be relegated to a second tier tournament. The financial impact could be devastating.
The problem is the 6 nations is what it is because of the history and rivalry. No other countries are our rivals like our neighbours. That's why it is the best tournament in the world. Unfortunately Georgia don't tick that box even though I'm sure they are very nice people and I would like to see them do well.
62. Posted by Dai Quietly

"Pro 14 is a joke. Having to travel to SA or Italy for a league match is ridiculous and now they want to compound it with Georgian teams."

Two choices if you don't like it.

1 - Support a club in a lower tier (Neath, Pontypool etc)
2 - Support an English / French club

Real fans of Pro 14 Teams are glad of the opportunity to travel (it broadens the mind)
Georgia have done well in recent years in junior tournaments. They will be there at the u20 IRB World Cup. They churn props for fun but they are developing better and better locks and backrow forwards. They have a wonderful young scrum half and other promising half backs and the backs are starting to develop at junior level. A Tblisi based franchise is much needed for them.
Great idea - a Georgian club side and a third Scottish pro side and there we have the Pro 16. Simple home and away format which does away with the conference format. Everyone is a winner ( except the SRU which would have to finance the 3rd pro team)
The story in the NZ Herald that world rugby is looking at a 12 team world league, is bad news for the teams outside that 12 (which will inc Japan and USA) If plans go ahead there'll be no promotion or relegation giving upcoming countries like Georgia even less chance to knock on the door of the elite. Big shame if it happens, it will be a nail in the coffin of club rugby too.
The simple problem all those that fantasize about having promotion and relegation from the 6 Nations dont understand is that one year's lost earnings, sponsorship tv rights etc, to any team by being demoted would in many cases would bankrupt that union. So Georgia go up one year Italy go bankrupt then Georgia go back down what has that actually achieved to help European rugby?
Professional rugby is very different to the game I once played. Teams need squads of up to 40 players and elite athletes have to be game managed. If Georgia has a strong rugby playing base then instead of a few players going overseas they need to have a team competing at a top level
The Pro 14 could become the Pro 16 with Georgia & France being represented. Ensuring Young talent develops.
The Six Nations is a very traditional competition. I watch it for the traditional rivalries.

Lose one of the original 5 nations, and it would be the death of the competition. May as well have a soccer-style European Championships at that point.
People talk of introducing Georgia into the 6N but neglect to look at the results when they've played each of the 6N, they've lost every time and include Italy in that last November.

Getting them a club in a pro setup though is a much better development opportunity. Conference system in Pro14 can allow up to a Pro16. Georgia, Extra Scots Region, Romania or US team would be options.
Neil Kearns
the money grabbing RFU as you call them are that way as the English clubs demand so much money to release their players to play for England, same in France. The money grabbers, and player stealers, in Europe are the English and French clubs not the unions.
A place in the Challenge Cup to start with and take it from there.
I would be quite happy for a Georgian team in the Pro14 and as already stated, it could be the catalyst for another Scottish team, funding would not be a major issue as plenty of offers have been made. This has nothing to do with the 6N though and it needs to be kept separate. Other nations don't need to join the 6N, WR needs to make Tier 1 nations play Tier 2 nations more often.
Since the 6 Nations started Scotland - 4 wooden Spoons, Wales and France 1 each but Italy 13. With relegation that means 5 years when a Triple Crown would have been impossible. 4 years of no Calcutta Cup without a special fixture. BTW France joined the 5 nations in 1910 but did not win it until 1949 - Italy have a while yet to progress. Best to leave it as it is.