The Georgia national rugby union team represents Georgia in rugby union. The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try" (the highest-valued score in rugby). One standard cheer of Georgian rugby union fans is Lelo, Lelo, Sakartvelo (Try, Try, Georgia).
Georgia is currently considered a second tier rugby union nation and is one of the world's fastest growing rugby nations. The Lelos participate in the European Nations Cup, winning the tournament in 2001, 2007-08 and 2008-10 seasons. Famously the Georgians, lacking the resources of the major nations, made scrum machines from old Soviet tractors. The bulk of the national squad are based in France, in both the Top 14 and lower divisions. This is a practice that was popularized by former national team coach, Claude Saurel, a Frenchman, who later coached neighbouring rivals Russia.
Rugby union is one of the most popular sports in Georgia. The Georgian national sevens team became the first national side from Georgia to compete in a major tournament, playing in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Cup in Argentina. However, the full national team would go onto qualify for the 2003 Rugby World Cup - playing against rugby powers such as Ireland and France. In 2006 the Lelos qualified for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, they beat Namibia by 30-0 for their first ever World Cup win. As of 18 June 2012, Georgia are ranked 15th in the world by the IRB.
Georgia also has a Georgia A national rugby union team.
Read more about Georgia National Rugby Union Team: European Nations Cup, Rugby World Cup, Results Against Russia, Overall Record, Current Squad, Notable Players
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