IRB confirm schedule for the second IRB Tbilisi Cup

The IRB have confirmed the schedule and participating teams for the second edition of the IRB Tbilisi Cup to take place this June. The tournament will give teams the chance to experiment for more important tests to come.

The tournament will be played with a round robin format over 8 days (2 weekends plus a midweek game) and will all be played again at the small 2,000 Avchala Stadium. The event, very much a development one with experimental teams, didn't prove to be that popular with Georgian fans last year and was broadcast via live stream on the internet as opposed to the usual coverage on 1TV (the main TV station in Georgia).

There are 3 fresh teams competing this year. Emerging Italy and Argentina Jaguars swap over from the IRB Nations Cup, whilst Spain who finished 4th in the ENC this year also join.

Milton Haig has already said he will use this tournament to test out and give chances to certain players, both youngsters and those who have not made many squads of late, it is very unlikely that leading players like Mamuka Gorgodze will be appearing. Assessing those players will be the priority as opposed to necessarily winning the tournament, which would just be a bonus.

The Spanish have had an erratic selection policy over the last few years and there's every chance that continues in this tournament as well.

IRB Tbilisi Cup 2014 Fixtures:

14/06 – Georgia v Spain

14/06 – Emerging Italy v Argentina Jaguars

18/06 –  Georgia v Argentina Jaguars

18/06 –  Emerging Italy v Spain

22/06 –  Georgia v Emerging Italy

22/06 – Argentina Jaguars v Spain