Fixtures Revealed For Emerging Ireland’s Tbilisi Cup Campaign
Hosts Georgia, Uruguay and fringe players from Ireland and Italy will have a chance to make a push for Rugby World Cup selection when they face-off at the World Rugby Tbilisi Cup tournament next month.
The four teams will meet at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi, with the round robin competition played across three match days – June 13, 17 and 21 – in the Georgian capital.
The Tbilisi Cup, which is funded by World Rugby, plays a very important high performance role for participating nations and for the ongoing growth of rugby in Georgia. With the 2015 Rugby World Cup rapidly approaching, the tournament will give teams and coaches exposure to a competitive test schedule.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Hosting the Tbilisi Cup this year will give Georgia a good opportunity to test their progress against tough international opposition in Uruguay, Emerging Ireland and Emerging Italy.
“Both the hosts and Uruguay are at a crucial stage in finalising their playing squads and these matches will provide a stern test going into the Rugby World Cup.
“Players on the fringes of the Irish and Italian squad now have a chance to put their hands up for selection and travel to England in September where they can showcase their skills on the biggest stage of them all.”
Emerging Ireland competed in the inaugural Tbilisi Cup in 2013, finishing as runners-up to a South Africa President’s XV. Last summer Dan McFarland and Dominic Ryan were head coach and captain as Emerging Ireland won the Nations Cup in Bucharest with bonus point victories over Russia, Uruguay and hosts Romania.
The Emerging Ireland squad will revert back to competing in the Tbilisi Cup next month, with George Nijaradze, the President of the Georgian Rugby Union, stating: “This will be our third time to host the Tbilisi Cup which is a very important tournament for us. It gives us the opportunity to check our national team’s level and to compete against very good sides.
“I am sure that the fans here in Tbilisi will have the chance to witness some really great matches and the tournament helps us to promote and grow the game in Georgia.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank World Rugby for this wonderful opportunity. We will do everything we can so that the participating teams and fans will remember the tournament not only for tough and exciting matches, but also for the traditional Georgian hospitality and culture.”
2015 WORLD RUGBY TBILISI CUP FIXTURES:
Saturday, June 13 –
Emerging Italy v Emerging Ireland, Avchala Stadium, 5pm local time/2pm Irish time
Georgia v Uruguay, Avchala Stadium, 7pm local time
Wednesday, June 17 –
Uruguay v Emerging Ireland, Avchala Stadium, 5pm local time/2pm Irish time
Georgia v Emerging Italy, Avchala Stadium, 7pm local time
Sunday, June 21 –
Uruguay v Emerging Italy, Avchala Stadium, 5pm local time
Georgia v Emerging Ireland, Avchala Stadium, 7pm local time/4pm Irish time