Important Georgian victory

Georgia beat Romania 22-7 in Tblissi on Saturday, thereby retaining the Antim Cup and consolidating their position at the top of the European Nations Cup.  Romania's defeat more or less eliminates them from contention.

The way things look, only Russia have a reasonable chance of stopping Georgia from again winning the title.

Romania opted for a team with only a very few foreign players.  Most of them are home-based players and young.

It was icy cold.  The maximum temperature was just 2°C, and the field had to be swept before the match.

The sides each scored a try in a match which was perhaps closer than expected.

At half-time the Lelos led just 10-7.  They were up 10-0 after Mamuka Gorgodze's power had opened the scoring but then veteran Marius Tincu, playing flank, scored a try.  The only scoring in the second half came from the boot.

Tincu, usually a hooker, and big Ionut Dimofte, both World Cup players were late inclusions.

Scorers:

For Georgia:
Try:  Gorgodze
Con:  Barkalaia
Pens:  Barkalaia 4
Drop:  Malaghuradze

For Romania:
Try:  Tincu
Con:  Vlaicu

Teams:

Georgia:  15 Otar Barkalaia, 14 George Shkinini, 13 David Katcharava, 12 Irakli Giorgadze, 11 Irakli Chkhikvadze, 10 Lasha Malaghuradze, 9 Irakli Abusseridze (captain), 8 Dimitri Bassil, 7 George Chkhaidze, 6 Shalva Sutiashvili, 5 Mamuka Gorgodze, 4 Kakha Uchava, 3 David Zirakashvili, 2 Irakli Natriashvili, 1 Goderdzi Shvelidze
Replacements:  16 David Dadunashvili, 17 David Kubriashvili, 18 Rati Urushadze, 19 Zviad Maissuradze, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 Meko Kvirikashvili, 22 Rezo Guigauri

Romania:  15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 Gheorghita Bigiu, 13 Csaba Gal, 12 Catalin Dascalu, 11 Stefan Ciuntu, 10 Ionut Dimofte, 9 Valentin Calafeteanu, 8 Costica Mersoiu (captain), 7 Marius Tincu, 6 Mihai Macovei, 5 Alin Coste, 4 Valentin Poparlan, 3 Ion Paulica, 2 Bogdan Zebega, 1 Radu Basalau
Replacements:  16 Marcel Mihalache, 17 Mihai Adascalitei, 18 Vasile Rus, 19 Stelian Burcea, 20 Ciprian Caplescu, 21 Dan Vlad, 22 Catalin Fercu

Referee:  Neil Ballard (Wales)
Touch judges:  David Williams (Wales), Wayne Davies (Wales)