Tough baptism for 'the Lelos'

By Jonathon Moore BBC Sport Online

Their nickname is 'the Lelos', their most famous player is Levan Tsabadze and their country is sandwiched between Russia and Armenia.

The Lelos will face England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup

If you haven't guessed already, the answer is Georgia and on Sunday they became the latest country to qualify for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Their hard fought 17-13 victory over nearby rivals Russia in Tbilisi earned Georgia the somewhat daunting task of playing out their World Cup in Pool C - a group that also contains South Africa, England, Samoa and Uruguay.

It is a tough prospect indeed, but one the Georgian squad is relishing, according to Michael Burdzgla, the general secretary of the Georgian Rugby Union.

"To get to the World Cup finals is a memory that will stay with the history of the country forever," Burdzgla said.

"This is the first time we have ever achieved such a feat and we are all very proud of our players."

Georgia, a roughly rugby ball-shaped country that once formed part of the USSR, is truly one of the sport's minnows.

Despite gaining independence from Russia in 1998, its union was not granted independent status by the International Rugby Board until 27 February 1992.

I would say that 80% of our squad now all play their rugby in France

Georgia Rugby Union chief Michael Burdzgla,

But, with a swiftness of mind that would make many of the home nations blush, its union managed to get its act together very quickly indeed.

After surviving on a diet of facing just one rival - nearby Ukraine - it appointed a French coach and sent 40 of its leading players westwards to play in the French domestic league.

It was a brave policy and one that is now reaping huge rewards.

"I would say that 80% of our squad now all play their rugby in France," Burdzgla said.

"They all play to a very good standard and our captain, Levan Tsabadze, has been a regular with Bordeux-Begles, Castres and now Montferrand."

For a country with so few players, Burdzgla speaks with confidence about the future of rugby in his country.

"The population is growing," he said. "Every week, many people come to watch rugby and more and more children are playing the game.

"There's no doubt that the sport is gaining confidence and, crucially, we are attracting participants from other sports too."

Sevens heaven

One of the keys to rugby's continued growth has been Georgia's success at Sevens.

In 1991, they lost out to Russia in the Plate final of the Sevens World Cup, after defeating Wales 17-10 in the semis.

"Sevens has been a springboard from which we have been able to develop the XV-man game," Burdzgla added.

We have at last achieved our ambition by qualifying for the 2003 tournament

Michael Burdzgla

"It has also helped us to develop our skill base - all important for a country of our size."

Eight years later Georgia came within a whisker of qualifying for the 1999 Rugby World Cup finals, after defeating Tonga 28-27 in Tbilisi.

They were left ultimately disappointed, losing out on points difference after being defeated in the return leg 37-6.

"We have at last achieved our ambition by qualifying for the 2003 tournament and we don't have any illusions that we can cause too many upsets," said Burdzgla.

"Now we have to figure out how to fight our own corner, but you can be sure we will give it our best shot."