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Lomu-like six foot five Georgia wing to debut against England
By PA
Georgia have given their promising former under-20 wing Sandro Svanidze his debut in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup match against England.
The elevation of Svanidze, 22 (6'5, 100kg) to the starting XV is one of eight changes made to the team thumped 48-7 by Scotland on October 23.
In total, there are 474 caps in the starting XV with centre Merab Sharikadze leading the team.
Directing operations will be a new-look half-back pairing of Gela Aprasidze and Tedo Abzhandadze.
An experienced pack with a total of 254 caps between them will feature against England. There four changes in total in the pack. Leicester Tigers' hooker Shalva Mamukashvili is promoted from the bench, while Beka Gigashvili returns at tighthead from an injury layoff.
Lasha Jaiani comes in in the engine while Giorgi 'Koki' Tkhilaishvili is promoted from the bench into the back row.
GEORGIA TEAM
Backs: 15. Lasha Khmaladze (83 caps, 53 points), 14. Akaki Tabutsadze (3 caps, 30 points), 13. Giorgi Kveseladze (25 caps, 20 points), 12. Merab Sharikadze (67 caps, 60 points, captain), 11. Sandro Svanidze (*), 10. Tedo Abzhandadze (16 caps, 53 points), 9. Gela Aprasidze (26 caps, 24 points);
Forwards: 1. Mikheil Nariashvili (62 caps, 10 points), 2. Shalva Mamukashvili (75 caps, 50 points), 3. Beka Gigashvili (14 caps, 5 points), 4. Lasha Jaiani (2 caps), 5. Grigor Kerdikoshvili (2 caps), 6. Beka Saginadze (13 caps, 5 points), 7. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (58 caps, 60 points), 8. Beka Gorgadze (28 caps, 40 points);
Substitutes: 16. Jaba Bregvadze (59 caps, 15 points), 17. Guram Gogichashvili (15 caps, 5 points), 18. Lexo Kaulashvili (1 caps), 19. Otar Giorgadze (26 caps, 25 points), 20. Tornike Jalagonia (1 caps); 21. Vasil Lobzhanidze (52 caps, 40 points), 22. Deme Tapladze (3 caps, 5 points), 23. Sandro Todua (86 caps, 65 points)
ENGLAND TEAM:
E Daly (Saracens); J Joseph (Bath Rugby), O Lawrence (Worcester Warriors), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), J May (Gloucester Rugby); O Farrell (Saracens, capt), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers); E Genge (Leicester Tigers), J George (Saracens), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), J Launchbury (Wasps), M Itoje (Saracens), J Willis (Wasps), B Vunipola (Saracens).
Replacements: T Dunn, (Bath Rugby), M Vunipola (Saracens), K Sinckler (Bristol Bears), B Earl (Bristol Bears), T Curry (Sale Sharks), D Robson (Wasps), M Malins (Bristol Bears), J Marchant (Harlequins).
additional reporting RugbyPass
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Latest Comments
Excellent year. I have enjoyed the Pumas with every match they played. They are truly one of the top tier nations and with more growth they will push hard for top 3 world ranking. They are just a bit up and down like the French team of old.
Go to commentsFunny that I read this after watching last night's game where Matera packed down at openside every signle time. Jaguares also used to play with OS/BS flankers when he was with them. Of course, if he's at 8 or not involved, Pumas could do it the French way and put, let's say, Kremer on the right and Golzalez on the left. You're correct about Matera's tenure at Crusaders where he was mainly used at blindside but also at #8 on occasion as far as I remember. He has the frame and skillset to play whichever back row position he's put at, much like Ardie or Jack Willis or Pocock.
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