'Six Nations B'

A question was asked to Keith Wood and Andy Nicol, on the BBC tonight, about relegation from the 'A' competition to the 'B' competition.
I perceive that they're against relegation, however, I perceive that they believe that Georgia can compete against the Six Nations. Georgia seem comfortable in the 'B' competition, IMO (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Nations_Cup_(rugby_union)#European_Nations_Cup_Winners_.282000-2013.29).

Would it be plausible to include the England Saxons and/or the Ireland Wolfhounds in the 'B' competition? Would they give Georgia more meaningful competition than the likes of Belgium, Portugal and Spain?

I want the BBC to keep us up to date with the 'B' competition. I want them to regularly show us the table and, possibly, the highlights.

Ireland are playing Georgia this November so it will be very interesting to see how they compete..

Georgia have a pack that can match anyone but they really stuggle to produce backs. They set up a 7s team to try compete on the series to try combat this so hopefully it helps them.

Don't Georgia have a fair few forwards in the T14? But I don't think they have a single back in there. That means they would be utterly rinsed by the 6N's sides.

On the other hand their experience and power in the forwards may keep them in it against our A teams. Maybe.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Ireland are playing Georgia this November so it will be very interesting to see how they compete..

Georgia have a pack that can match anyone but they really stuggle to produce backs. They set up a 7s team to try compete on the series to try combat this so hopefully it helps them.

I'm not aware of any other country that successfully relies on their 7's side as the main talent pool for the first team. Even Fiji who are one of the superpowers in 7's yet don't often manage to convert that into 15-a-side success and Georgia arguably have less resources to choose from. That said, I'm not sure how popular the sport is in Georgia or whether they have the participation levels to form a competitive side.

Knowsit17 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Ireland are playing Georgia this November so it will be very interesting to see how they compete..

Georgia have a pack that can match anyone but they really stuggle to produce backs. They set up a 7s team to try compete on the series to try combat this so hopefully it helps them.

I'm not aware of any other country that successfully relies on their 7's side as the main talent pool for the first team. Even Fiji who are one of the superpowers in 7's yet don't often manage to convert that into 15-a-side success and Georgia arguably have less resources to choose from. That said, I'm not sure how popular the sport is in Georgia or whether they have the participation levels to form a competitive side.

I'm sure the 7s team is to try and develop the skills for their backs as they really struggle to produce backs. I think they have maybe one back who is professionally contracted in the Top 14/D2 and thats it. They have front rowers coming out of their ears though and are one of the few countries with extremely good depth at TH.

In terms of the popularity, I have often heard it is their national sport. Gorgodze is certainly an icon over there and regularly lines out for them which is great. I'm sure if a top tier nation went over there they would be able to sell out their 50k seater stadium.

I think Georgia will not, and cannot, advance in Rugby terms until the political situation is settled. Being partillly occupied by a foreign nation, having an active rebel group (funded by the same foreign natiuon), a government on thin foundations, and a high crime rate makes every time they field a Rugby team a triumph. Their history has molded them into tough smart people. Would be great to see a stable country.

Georgia v Belgium highlights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ-YQGExc8g

Romania v Portugal highlights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok_JeSxpARU&feature=youtube_gdata

Both games played yesterday.