Georgia begin World Rugby-backed talks to join elite European competition

04/16/2025 04:03 AM

Georgia’s rugby ambitions have reached a new level as they embark on negotiations to get their domestic side, Black Lion, into the United Rugby Championship (URC), with full backing from World Rugby.

Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia

Frustrated by their Test side being left out of the upper echelons of international rugby, the Lelos are shifting their focus to domestic success according to Mail Online.

Richard Cockerill Leads the Charge

Under the stewardship of former England and Leicester hooker Richard Cockerill, Georgia has long harboured dreams of joining the Six Nations. However, their goal isn’t to replace one of the current six competitors, but to see an expanded tournament that includes them.

Six Nations Dreams Put on Hold

Despite sitting above Wales in the World Rugby rankings, those dreams of Six Nations inclusion are still a distant prospect. With that in mind, Georgia has set its sights on a new target—joining the URC, which already features clubs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and South Africa.

Shifting Focus to Domestic Glory

Levan Maisashvili, Georgia's high-performance director and former coach, confirmed the shift in focus to the Mail Online, revealing that Georgia has officially pulled out of the Rugby Europe Super Cup to begin talks for URC inclusion.

"This is one of our biggest strategic goals, and we have full support from World Rugby in this regard," Maisashvili told Mail Sport. "Being part of the URC would be a massive leap for Georgian rugby, especially with the challenges ahead starting in 2026, when we will lose the chance to play tier-one nations before Rugby World Cups."

The URC Is the Next Step for Georgia

It's clear—Georgia's plan to elevate themselves in world rugby is just getting started, and the URC is their next big step.

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Six England players who could swap nations before the 2027 Rugby World Cup

With World Rugby's eligibility laws allowing players to switch allegiance after a three-year stand-down period, a number of familiar faces from England's past and present could soon be wearing different colours on the international stage.

Here’s a look at six England stars who could make a major international switch before the 2027 Rugby World Cupin Australia.

Manu Tuilagi – England to Samoa

The most high-profile name on this list, Manu Tuilagi, has long been the bulldozing presence in England’s midfield. Born in Samoa, the 33-year-old is eligible to represent the Pacific Island nation after completing the three-year stand-down rule.

With his England career coming to an end last year and the next generation of centres taking over, Tuilagi could provide Samoa with a major boost in 2027 if he stays fit during his time in France.

Bio:
Position: Centre
Age: 33
England caps: 60+
Club: Sale Sharks
Born in: Fogapoa, Samoa

Dan Kelly – England to Ireland

Dan Kelly has one cap for England, earned under Eddie Jones in 2021. However, because more than three years will have passed by the time of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and since he has Irish heritage through his Dublin-born mother, he would be eligible to switch to Ireland under World Rugby's revised eligibility laws.

Ireland could be a serious option if his international pathway with England remains blocked.

Bio:
Position: Centre
Age: 23
England caps: 0
Club: Leicester Tigers
Eligible through: Irish mother

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