Los Lelos need a few more like Davit

RUGBY MATTERS

BRENDAN GALLAGHER

HAVE Georgia finally unearthed their first superstar outside back?

The lack of firepower behind the scrum has dogged them a little as they seek to join rugby’s top table but in the last few months an exceptionally talented and pacey full-back – Davit Niniashvili, below, has emerged.

It’s early days but it would change the dynamic of Georgian rugby if they could find a couple of top class outside backs to augment their strong pack and useful half-backs.

Niniashvilli, just 19, roared in for a brilliant hat-trick against the Netherlands last week in their 48-15 win including two striking long distance efforts.

He was also a commanding figure under the high ball with a boom kick from hand.

This time last year Niniashvilli was playing for humble Georgian Second Division team Khvamli but nothing could disguise his talent and, after making his Lelos debut off the bench in the Autumn Cup, he has been a regular in Georgia’s Rugby Europe Champion-ship team this season.

Off the back of that he has earned a threeyear contract with Lyon. We are well used to T14 sides hiring Georgian forwards but not so much when it comes to outside backs.

The Georgian win over the Netherlands, when they fielded a full strength side in preparation for yesterday’s warm-up Test for the Springboks, clinched their tenth REC championship in 11 seasons and at the same time virtually ensured qualification for RWC2023.

Results over this season and next will be used to determine who qualifies automatically as Europe 1 and 2 and its virtually unthinkable the Lolos won’t make it.