Richard Cockerill, head coach

On being drawn in Pool B with South Africa, Italy and Romania:

“Obviously, it’s a tough draw. Having the Springboks there is always going to be difficult, as is Italy - we’ve had a great rivalry with them over the last few years - and we know Romania well because we play them a lot. So, yeah, it’s a tough pool, but realistically, I think we can come out of it in second or third position. Springboks is obviously a different contest for us, but we certainly believe that we’re good enough to beat Romania, and the Italian game will certainly be very important for both teams.”

On the match against Italy, considered as crucial in the group stage:

"I definitely think it’s probably the most pivotal game if you assume that the Springboks are going to win the pool because they’re the best team in the world. Clearly, if either team wants to finish in second place, the Italy game is going to be huge. The last two times we played them, we beat them once and lost by three points last November, so we know it’s going to be a very tight, physical game.

"I think the pressure is more on Italy than on us because they’re a Six Nations team and are ranked above us in the world. The pressure is on them. Georgia potentially play at their best when they’re the underdogs. We look forward to playing in those big games. We had a big game two weeks ago against Japan, but just fell short (25-29). However, we know that if we play at our best, we can compete with the teams around us: Japan, Italy, Wales and Fiji. We know we can compete with those teams, and we’re capable of beating them. So, yeah, it's a pivotal moment.

"If you come second in the pool, you'll probably play England; if you come third, you'll play Ireland. So, we know it's going to be tough. Georgia have never beat a tier 1 team in a World Cup before, so there’s an opportunity for us to make history, as well as an opportunity to reach the knockout stage. Once you reach the knockout stages, anything can happen. We are coming to compete, we are coming to win games and we are coming to show the world that Georgia is an improving team that can compete with the best."

On the new RWC format:

"I think the format's good. It’s different, but it gives everyone an opportunity to get into the playoffs, where anything can happen, which is good. I’m happy with the format and the draw. We know exactly what we need to do to get to the knockout stages now. We’ve got a good team and can definitely improve. I think the World Cup is the perfect opportunity to showcase Georgian rugby, so we’re looking forward to it."

On the preparation:

“Obviously, we’ll look to keep building squad cohesion, but we also need to look after our best players. For example, in 2026, we have the first two games in Europe, where we will play either the Netherlands or Switzerland. This gives younger players the opportunity to gain experience, while also allowing us to manage players like Beka [Gorgadze], who play every week in the Top 14. When we get to 2027, we’ll definitely be picking our best players for the World Cup. But there are opportunities to develop certain positions with our younger players, while still trying to win the Nations Cup and be the best second-tier team. There’s a balance to be had, but everything we do from now until October 2027 will be geared towards preparing for the World Cup.”

On knowing their opponents two years before the RWC:

"Two years is definitely enough preparation time. I think, like all tier 2 teams, we probably won't have the opportunity to play tier 1 nations until the warm-up games prior to the World Cup. The Nations Cup will obviously involve tier 1 and tier 2 teams, which gives teams like Wales, Japan and Italy more opportunities to improve. However, with Georgia, we’re probably at the top of the tier 2 group, so we only get to play tier 2 teams. This means that the opportunity for us to develop our game and play against really good tier 1 opposition won't exist. That’s probably the only slightly disappointing thing for us and the other tier 2 nations. But World Rugby has decided that this is how they are going to split up the world of rugby at the moment, so that’s probably the only difficult bit for the tier 2 teams and ourselves, that we don’t get opportunity to play tier 1 opponents before then."

On the preparation schedule for the next two years:

"We’re still waiting for confirmation of the Nations Cup fixtures and the World Cup location. Then we can start planning our warm-up games for the World Cup. We know there are 10 test matches, but the best opposition we’ll play are Romania, Portugal and Spain, which is a good standard, but we want to play against teams of an even higher standard to improve.”

On how having players playing in the Top 14 and Pro D2 helps the Georgian team:

"I think there’s a real positive in guys playing at a good level. The Top 14 is one of the best leagues in the world, and some of our leading players play a pivotal part in that for their clubs. The most important thing is making sure our best players are fit, healthy and rested for the World Cup. That’s our job as management. Now that we know the schedule, we can make a comprehensive plan for where the players will play from now on. There’s an opportunity to introduce some new players, build depth in our squad and ensure that our senior players, who play a lot of rugby in the Top 14, are looked after in terms of volume. It’s helpful whether they’re playing in England or France, whether it’s Pro D2 or the Top 14. Currently, with the Black Lion, we don't have a league to play in, so we arrange some good friendlies. However, we don't have the level of competition that we would like for our domestic players. The French and English leagues are therefore very important to us, as we have two players in the Premiership in the UK. The key point is that we had injuries to our best players going into the last World Cup. I think the key is managing the players and getting our best squad to the World Cup. As with everything, it's about selection, but also about looking after our best players and making sure they’re fit and healthy going into the tournament."

On the level of excitement for the staff and the players going to RWC 2027:

"I haven’t spoken to the players yet because they’re focusing on their club games, and I don’t want to distract them. But look, we know that this team is improving all the time. We’re more professional and consistent in our approach to games, and we know that, by 2027, this will be the best-prepared Georgian team ever because, at every World Cup, you’re better prepared than the last time. Based on our current progress, we have a genuine, realistic chance of beating Italy and qualifying for the last 16. That should be our realistic target. If we play England or Ireland in a one-off game, there’s no reason why we can’t put up a good fight. So, the key is for us to be realistic as a country. I believe that reaching the last 16 is a realistic ambition, and then we’ll see what happens. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’ll be well prepared and have our best players available. They’ll be fresh, and we’re looking forward to it. The World Cup should be the best experience of your life. I played in one a long time ago, and going to a World Cup in a wonderful country like Australia should be an experience people cherish for the rest of their lives. Part of that experience is how we play and the memories we create as a group, so that's important too. We look forward to that."

Beka Gorgadze, captain Georgia

On being drawn in Pool B with South Africa, Italy and Romania:

“It’s going to be an exciting pool. We had a chance to play South Africa this summer, so we know what’s ahead. They’ve shown their qualities to the whole rugby world in the November tests, and I think it’s a game that we’re going to play without fear. We’re just going to go out there, enjoy ourselves and play against the best in the world. Of course, the most important game in the pool is going to be against Italy, because they’re a great team and they play great rugby. But we’ve seen that we can put them under pressure, even when we played them last November. So, I think that’s going to be a huge game for us and for the whole country. And of course, we can't forget Romania. They're our neighbours and opponents, and we know they'll be giving it their all against us. It’s a tough pool, but an exciting one as well.”

On whether they can surprise South Africa:

"We can surprise them with the way we play. It’s difficult to talk about results right now; I don’t like talking about results straight away. First, we just want to play good rugby and show our strengths, and then the results may follow. But I think it’s going to be one of the most physical games in the World Cup, so it's exciting. In those kinds of games, there’s nothing to lose and you just go out and fight. Looking at the whole pool and draw, I think our experience at the last World Cup served us well because we were kind of favourites. There was a lot of interest in the 2022 season between Wales and Italy, so expectations were high, but then we performed as we did in the World Cup. I think that, because we lost to Japan, it was kind of our destiny. You may agree or not, but yeah, we’re going to face the World Cup as underdogs, not favourites. I think that’s the way we should be, and that’s how we should fight."

On how having players playing in Top 14 and Pro D2 helps the Georgian team:

“The last few years have been huge for Georgian rugby. A lot of players have started to play regularly in the Top 14 or Pro D2. Then the Black Lion crew was created, and I think that's when everything started to fall into place. That's when we achieved our best result in 2022. Having all this time in the Top 14, playing at what I would say is the highest level in the world on a regular basis, has helped us to perform better. It can be exhausting at times, but the reality is that it’s one of the top leagues in the world. Even for me, things have been going quite well this year: the team is doing well, and we are performing and playing some really good rugby.”

On RWC 2003 in Australia, Georgia's first tournament The song 'Georgia on my mind', by Ray Charles was played in the stadium:

“They’d better get the anthem right this time, because unfortunately we had that experience in 2003. Times have changed, so I think they’ll get it right (laughs). Of course, we’ve exchanged messages and weighed up some things, and as I said, it’s a tough pool, but it’s really exciting. So, from now on, I think we’ll keep most of our energy focused on what’s coming and what we’re preparing for. It’s an exciting time, honestly. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to play against the best, and to compete once more against Romania as we do every year. It’s a good opportunity to show our strengths and our grit.”