Georgians set to make historic visit

THE WRU has shown its commitment to rugby below regional level by announcing two “landmark” fixtures against one of the emerging powerhouses in the European game.

On March 27 the Brewery Field in Bridgend will be the venue for a match between a Principality Premiership XV and a Georgia international team.

Four days later, the Georgians travel to North Wales to play RGC 1404 at Colwyn Bay’s Eirias Park.

The Bridgend clash will be the first major game for a representative team selected from the semi-professional division of rugby in Wales.

Aberavon’s Simon King has been named as the head coach of the Premiership XV with Lyndon Lewis from Llandovery and Greg Woods of Cross Keys taking charge of the backs and forwards respectively.

The RGC 1404 team will be coached by the former Wales tight-head prop Chris Horsman with assistant coaches to be appointed from within North Wales.

The Premiership is a WRU priority at present with plans in place to reform the league, reducing it from 14 to 12 clubs. The division has been heralded by the WRU as a key building block which supports the elite game in Wales.

Meanwhile, Georgian rugby has come of age in recent years with the national team making a big impact at last autumn’s World Cup where they impressed with their physical approach.

They recorded a pool win over Romania and pushed Scotland close with many of their top players now plying their trade in France.

“I am delighted we have been able to secure these landmark fixtures against such strong opposition,” said WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon. “The Principality Premiership is a vital part of the game in Wales and we want to celebrate its significance and success.

“We know the coaches will be able to select a talented and determined team capable of putting on a strong performance against excellent opposition.

“The coaches are all of proven ability so we are confident the team will be ready to give of their best on the night.

“This will be an opportunity for supporters from all the Premiership teams to come together with one voice to show just what this division means to them.

“The North Wales fixture is yet another example of how the WRU is determined to put rugby in that region on the map.

“This is a statement of our intent to recognise the support for the game in the north and engender even more enthusiasm and support for RGC 1404.”