Georgia skipper set to return

Georgia captain Ilia Zedguinidze has received medical clearance to play in next Sunday’s Pool C clash against Samoa at Subiaco Oval.

The back-row forward missed Georgia’s 84-6 defeat against England while he recovered from a head injury.

Zedguinidze had a metal plate inserted in his forehead after a collision during the World Cup warm-up defeat by Italy last month.

“I have received medical authorisation that I am fit to play,” he said. “I am not worried at all about my injury.

“After they put the plate in, they stapled my head together, so it has healed well. It was on September 6, so it is over a month now since it happened. The 30-day wait period is over.

“I am looking forward to my very first game in the World Cup. Maybe physically, my fitness is not on top level, but I am ready to play the game.”

Georgia won many plaudits for their performance against England, with red rose boss Clive Woodward praising their commitment and determination.

And the Georgians are determined to build on that encouraging performance, starting against Samoa.

“For many years, everything has been negative in Georgia,” Zedguinidze added. “There was a war, and it was a very poor situation economically, so Georgia needs something positive.

“If the Georgian rugby team does something well, then everybody is together. Political differences are forgotten – rugby unites the country.

“Even if we lose the game, they are always behind us. They try to encourage us any way they can. Even when you lose by 80 points, it is a good game for our supporters.”

Georgia coach Claude Saurel, meanwhile, is convinced that his team will make an impact at some stage of the tournament.

“Georgia are progressing step by step,” he said. “We will show something in this World Cup.

“It was very hard against England, yet England got many injuries while we got none, so you can see that we are fit. We will be progressing every game.”