September 9 in Saint-Denis, Paris will be a massive day for Georgian rugby when they take on Australia in their Rugby World Cup opener.
The squad want to go into that match - and that showpiece event in general - on a high and winning the Rugby Europe Championship again would certainly put a spring in their step.
They have been the pacesetters - and, as a result, winners - of the Championship over the last five years and they are in Pool A of the expanded eight team event that gets underway at the weekend.
First up for them is German in Tbilisi on Sunday and hooker Giorgi Chkoidze said: “All professional players are excited [across the world just now] as it is a huge responsibility and motivation to play at a Rugby World Cup and to reach this peak of your career.
“I want to be there and I need to work selflessly this year to get there because it will be one of the most important events in my life.
“Of course, the 2023 Rugby Europe Championship is a preparation period for our team and we are trying to improve everything that will be useful for us at the World Cup.
“We are working on developing our strengths and [this weekend] I expect a good game from Germany as they are playing against the champions, so they will do everything to the maximum of their abilities.”
Players and coaches are very important for any country who is building up for the aforementioned World Cup in France, but an important cog in any squad is the team manager, too.
Vasil Abashidze fulfils that role for Georgia and has been with the national governing body since 2004.
“In order to play high level rugby, the demands are constantly increasing and the players are well aware of this,” he said.
“Accordingly, Georgian rugby year by year tries to increase the number of professional athletes ready for the international level.
“A very good generation is constantly flowing into the team, it is always a pleasure to have new faces around and participate in their integration into the team.
“In this year's Rugby Europe Championship, as well as in all previous ones, our goal is to prove that we are the leaders of this competition.
“Also, all games and training camps in February and March will be used as part of World Cup preparation.”
Georgia v Germany 10am CET (1pm Local) Live on rugbyeurope.tv, Rugby TV (Georgia) FloRugby (North America).
