Watching Beka Gorgadze play England and Wales on his own was an interesting experience, the young Georgian No.8’s carrying and tackling and organising and all-round stand-up-to-be-countedness confirming him as a back rower of undisputed international quality. Which is good news for Georgia. One down, just the 14 to go.
The lazy name for it is “Sergio Parisse Syndrome” – shorthand for the extreme challenge faced by a star turn who invariably takes the field against top-tier opposition in the knowledge that the best he can hope for is a complete and utter towelling.
But “SPS” is in no way an accurate description of Gorgadze’s situation. For all Parisse’s heroics in unsuccessful Italian sides over a barely imaginable stretch of 17 years – 142 Tests, 106 defeats – the great man could always catch a whiff of genuine talent around him if he inhaled deeply enough.
On current evidence, Gorgadze is not in that position. Far from it. He is out there on his Jack Jones, and the fact that he catches the eye as often as he does marks him out as a proper player. Here, in homage to his Lone Ranger forerunners, is a team of those who somehow found the wherewithal to play Ritz-level rugby in a team of Travelodgers.
15 Vasily Artemyev (Russia): His side conceded damned near 200 points in four outings at the 2011 World Cup, yet the Muscovite’s mastery was enough to secure a Premiership contract with Northampton.
Denne historien er fra November 29, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra November 29, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
