Mamukashvili dreams of Six Nations swansong

LONDON: Veteran hooker Shalva Mamukashvili believes Georgia will be ready to compete with the powerhouses of European rugby in the Six Nations in just two years.

The 30-year-old said their case had been strengthened by appearing in this year’s Autumn Nations Cup, which gives them a run of matches against top-tier oufits.

Georgia are caught in no man’s land. They have dominated the second-tier Rugby Europe Championship in recent years but fall short against the top sides.

Levan Maisashvili’s team play their final pool match of the Autumn Nations Cup against Ireland on Sunday and are yet to register a point -- beaten 40-0 by England and then 18-0 by a second-string Wales team.

Some have argued Georgia deserve a chance in the Six Nations -- the premier northern hemisphere tournament -- at the expense of Italy, who almost always finish botom of the pile.

Mamukashvili, who comes from a family of maths professors, is well qualified to bang the drum ater 76 Tests, including two Rugby World Cups, and with top-class experience at European club level.

In 2014 he became the first Georgian to play in the English Premiership when he signed for Sale Sharks and he is now with Leicester Tigers . He has also had spells with Glasgow Warriors and Toulon.

Mamukashvili said it was not surprising Georgia have struggled in the Autumn Nations Cup, which replaces the usual programme of Tests for northern hemisphere nations this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Several key players retired ater the 2019 World Cup and many of the present squad arrived short of game time due to Covid-19 restrictions.