Georgian rugby is preparing to make a historic step onto the European professional stage, with the national team’s professional side, the “Black Lion,” set to join the United Rugby Championship (URC).
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The league currently features clubs from Italy, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and South Africa. There are also rumours that an American side could join the division.
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The move marks a significant milestone for Georgian rugby, offering players new opportunities to compete at the highest level.
Ilia Zedginidze, veteran player and now head of international relations for Georgian rugby, emphasized the importance of the step for the country’s rugby development:
“We are partners with EPCR, and we want these relations to deepen and expand further. It is in Georgian rugby’s interest to establish ourselves in European professional rugby. We will have meetings in September-October, and much will be determined.
“At this stage, our main goal is for the ‘Black Lion’ to enter the United Rugby Championship. From next year, we will no longer have the opportunity to play Tier 1 teams at the national level, and this is a necessity for Georgian rugby, like air, to give our players development opportunities.”
Zedginidze also highlighted the collective effort needed to ensure success:
“We have support from the founders of the United Rugby Championship, but certain conditions must be met, and everyone must work on this together — the Rugby Union, the state, and the private sector. The future of Georgian rugby’s next stage largely depends on this decision. Everyone must understand this, and we must fight for it to the end.”
Financial and competitive readiness are also key to securing Georgia’s place in the URC:
“From our side, it is necessary to ensure that we will be competitive and provide financial guarantees. These two words encompass several hundred pages of documents that require detailed discussion and implementation. That is why unity is essential, and if we achieve this goal, which has great potential, it will be a victory for everyone and bring enormous benefits to both Georgian rugby and our country.”
With the Black Lion poised to enter one of Europe’s most competitive rugby leagues, the move promises to strengthen Georgia’s international presence and provide a critical platform for player development.
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