Mamuka Gorgodze to face South Africa in June

Georgian back rower Mamuka Gorgodze has been named in the "World XV" squad to face the Springboks for the first time in his career on June 7 in Cape Town.

Gorgodze will as a result miss Georgia's June matches for the 8th year in a row. However that is no big deal, Georgia have no matches of any significance scheduled over this international window other than the IRB Tbilisi Cup, a development tournament where Milton Haig will be testing out new players.

The chance to play with the "World XV", which by the looks of the squad is essentially just the same as the Barbarians but with a different name, will offer Gorgodze the opportunity to play against the 2nd best in the world in the Springboks for the first time in his career.

Such an opportunity is one that young players dream of, and Gorgodze is fortunate to be able to be regarded so highly that he has been able to receive this invitation coming from a country that he wouldn't have otherwise. It's a once in a career opportunity and it's far more worthwhile for the Georgian rugby icon to achieve a career highlight, than waste time playing complete non entities such as "Emerging Italy" in a completely worthless tournament.

Other players in the World XV squad include Tongan loosehead prop Sona Taumalolo and Samoan loose forward Joe Tekori. Both will miss the Tonga vs Samoa opening match of the PNC in Apia, there's a possibility that both could return for the next 2 June games though.