Russia would undoubtedly have its main focus on the Tiblisi match - as would Georgia. Three of the players in the Ruissian squad are South Africans - Tenk Hendriks, Renier Volschenk and Werner Pieterse. Five are playing in France - Vyacheslav Grachev, Sergei Sergeev, Konstantin Rachkov, Murat Uambaev and Sergei Klimenko.

The Russian squad: Oleg Chukailov, Igor Nikolaitchouk, Tenk Hendriks, Rachid Bikbov, Valeri Fedtchenko, Rachid Sagdeev, Oleg Azapenko, Renier Volschenk, Vladimir Simonov, Vitali Iliaronov, Werner Pieterse, Sergei Vasilev (all Krasny Yar). Roman Romak, Alexei Retchnev, Viatcheslav Zykov, Sergei Kuzmenko, Igor Dymtchenko, Alexei Korobeinikov, Denis Akulov, Yuri Shelepkov, Igor Budnikov, Roman Shelepkov (all Enisei-STM). Alexei Travkin, Alexander Khrokin, Vladislav Tsukrov, Vladimir Martchenko, Alexander Voitov (all VVA Podmoskovye). Alexander Margvelashvili, Alexander Yaniushkin, Dimitri Dyatlov (all RK Penza). Oleg Joukov (SK Fili). France: Viacheslav Gratchev, Sergei Sergueev, Konstantin Ratchkov, Murat Uambaev, Sergei Klimenko.