Six Nations hopefuls Georgia have laid down the gauntlet to Wales – the team that finished bottom of this year’s Championship – with a proposal the two sides meet in a double header.
Warren Gatland’s Wales lost all five of their matches in the 2024 tournament, making them statistically the worst team in the top tier of the European Test competition this year.
Georgia, meanwhile, claimed Rugby Europe honors for the seventh consecutive year in Paris last Sunday by beating Portugal. Rugby Europe is the international competition in the northern hemisphere, which is run during the Six Nations. Many have long advocated promotion and relegation between the two via a play-off.
Such a scenario does not currently exist and is unlikely to be implemented soon.
But if it was, it would see Wales face Georgia with the winner taking a place in the Six Nations.
Georgia claimed Rugby Europe’s honors for the seventh consecutive year in Paris last Sunday
Wales received the wooden spoon after finishing bottom of the Six Nations table without a win
Fresh from more Rugby Europe glory, Georgia have offered to play Gatland’s Wales in Tbilisi this autumn with a return leg in Cardiff if the Welsh Rugby Union are up for the challenge.
Wales are yet to confirm their autumn fixtures, meaning there is the potential for the matches to take place.
On social media, Georgia said: ‘Following widespread debate throughout the rugby world following the end of the Six Nations and Rugby Europe, the Georgia Rugby Union invites the Welsh Rugby Union to play an autumn match.
‘There is a wonderful bond between the players and supporters of our two proud rugby nations and we have had some fantastic competitive games. It is our honor to invite Wales to Tbilisi and play a return match in Cardiff when appropriate.
‘As Sam Warburton said, this is what rugby lovers everywhere want to see! So let’s make it happen. In Georgia, we like to say, “A guest is a gift.”
‘We can think of no better gift than to host the Welsh in Tbilisi this autumn.’
Georgia, now coached by former England assistant and ex-Leicester, Edinburgh and Montpellier boss Richard Cockerill, have long had plans to join the Six Nations by expanding the competition to seven teams.
The Lelos beat Portugal 36-10 in the final of European rugby’s second-tier competition
Their pleas have so far fallen on deaf ears.
But after Wales failed to win a Six Nations match in 2024 and finished bottom of the table for the first time since 2003, their former captain Warburton insisted the WRU had become “complacent” and that no union should have right to just hang on to a tournament spot without risk.
Warburton – one of the most respected figures in rugby given his exploits with Wales and the Lions – is a big supporter of promotion and relegation between the Six Nations and Rugby Europe.
Cockerill believes his side are too good for Rugby Europe but need more games against the top teams to continue their development and show their worth.
They will be able to do just that with Georgia set to face Japan, Fiji and Australia this summer with possible meetings with Wales to follow if the WRU accept their proposal.
Wales comfortably got past Georgia at last year’s World Cup, but were beaten by Lelos in Cardiff in 2022.
Georgia Rugby President Ioseb Tkemaladze said: ‘It gives me great pleasure to invite our dear friends from Wales to play Georgia in Tbilisi this autumn.
‘After an exciting Six Nations and Georgia’s seventh successive success in Rugby Europe, this is the game rugby fans everywhere are clamoring for, so I really hope the Welsh can accept our invitation.
Georgia, now coached by former England assistant Richard Cockerill, have long had designs on appearing in the Six Nations
‘Obviously we would be just as happy to play them in Cardiff – where we had a famous victory in 2022. Perhaps a double-header can be arranged.
“There is a strong bond between our two proud rugby nations and we have had some exciting contests recently. We are rugby brothers.
‘It would be my honor to host Wales in Tbilisi. I am confident we would have a record crowd and I would be particularly proud to invite Welsh supporters to come and experience our unique Georgian hospitality.’
In response to Georgia’s match offer, the WRU responded on social media: ‘We’ll be in touch.’
Wales are believed to already have three autumn games scheduled with Fiji, Australia and South Africa, although there is the potential for them to face Georgia in a fourth game.
It is likely that for financial revenue reasons the WRU would prefer a potential Georgia game to be played at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium rather than Tbilisi.
Whatever happens, Georgia’s bid has raised much-needed debate about the importance of rugby’s so-called smaller nations being given more important development opportunities.
Piers Morgan even spoke his mind on the issue on X (formerly Twitter).
Georgia’s domestic club team Black Lion – who form the focal point of their national team – competed in the European Challenge Cup for the first time this season and will do so again next term.
Wales comfortably beat Georgia at last year’s World Cup, but Lelos won in Cardiff in 2022
The Black Lion beat Welsh region Scarlets 23-7 in Llanelli in December.
Cockerill would like to see the Black Lion play in the United Rugby Championship – a league currently made up of teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland, South Africa and Italy.
Mail Sport understands that talks are underway for the Black Lions to tour Britain in April and play a variety of sides with Leicester Tigers an early favourite.
The Black Lion could also face teams from Ireland and Scotland.