6NB: two derbies
There are two derbies this weekend in the European Nations Cup as neighbour meets neighbour.
In Tblissi Georgia meets the men next door, the Oaks from Romania and in Lisbon the Iberian neighbours meet - Portugal against Spain.
If you were a betting man and believed in form you would probably bet on Portugal and Georgia.
There is a prize after this competition spread over two years. The top two teams get to go directly for New Zealand in 2011.
Results so far this season
Russia vs Spain in Moscow, 42-15
Spain vs Germany in Madrid, 22-11
Georgia vs Germany in Heidelberg, 38-5
Russia vs Portugal in Lisbon, 18-14
Georgia vs Portugal in Tblissi, 20-20
Romania vs Germany in Heidelberg, 22-0
Portugal vs Germany in Lisbon, 44-6
Georgia vs Spain in Madrid, 55-11
Russia vs Romania in Bucharest, 28-19
Log
Presently the log looks as follows:
1 Russia 9
2 Georgia 8
3 Romania 7
4 Portugal 6
5 Spain 6
6 Germany 4
Spain and Germany have each played four matches, the others three each.
The match points are 3-2-1 - win, draw, loss.
Georgia vs Romania at National Stadium, Tblissi on Saturday, 14 March 2009, kick off 16.00 (12.00 GMT)
The teams play for the Antim Cup, named after St Antim who is venerated in both countries.
Tim Lane, the Georgian coach, has just two players in his squad of 24 players who play their club rugby in Georgia. One of the Georgia-based players, Sandro Todua, is uncapped - in contrast to Malkhaz Urjukashvili , captain Irakli Abusseridze, Ilia Zedguinidze and Guia Labadze, all of whom have 50 caps or more.
By contrast, only three players in the Romanian squad play abroad.
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The IRB lays down that players must be available to play for their countries in these tests. There are some missing players, for example Romanians Petre Mitu, Marius Tincu, Ovidiu Tonita, Alexandru Manta, Bogdan Balan, Silviu Florea, Cristian Petre and Petrisor Toderasc - all of whom play professionally in France.
The Scot Andrew McMenemy is a Scot and is making his debut as a Test referee at the age of 24.
Teams:
Georgia squad: Davit Khinchagishvili (Brive, France), Davit Kubriashvili (Toulon, France), Anton Peikrishvili (Agen, France), Goderdzi Shvelidze (Montauban, France), Irakli Natriashvili (Farul Constanta, Romania), Ilia Zedginidze (Aix en Provence, France), Kakha Uchava (Farul Constanta, Romania), Levan Datunashvili (Aurillac, France), Giorgi Chkhaidze (Racing Metro, France), Dimitri Basilaia (Morlaàs, France), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier, France), Grigol Labadze (Toulon, France), Rati Urushadze (Ennisei STM, Russia), Irakli Abusseridze (Orléans, France) (captain), Bidzina Samkharadze (Farul Constanta, Romania), Lasha Malaghuradze (Beziers, France), Irakli Machkhaneli (Agen, France), Irakli Giorgadze (Dax, France), Alexandre Todua (Lelo, Georgia), Tedo Zibzibadze (Périgueux, Georgia), Otar Barkalaia (VPC Andorra, France), Merab Kvirikashvili (Massy, France), Malkhaz Urjukashvili (Aurillac, France), Davit Kacharava (Enisei STM, Russia)
Romanian squad: Nicolae Nere (Steaua Bucuresti), Paulica Ion (Bath, England), Mihaita Lazar (Poli Iasi), Florin Tasca (Dinamo Bucuresti), Catalin Beca (Dinamo Bucuresti), Valentin Popirlan (Dinamo Bucuresti), Alin Coste (Narbonne, France), Cosmin Ratiu (Dinamo Bucuresti), Stelian Burcea (Dinamo Bucuresti), Florin Corodeanu (Saint Marcelline Sport, France), Daniel Carpo (Farul Constanta), Alexandru Tudori (Dinamo Bucuresti), Mihai Macovei (Baia Mare), Costica Mersoiu (Dinamo Bucuresti), Daniel Ianus (Steaua Bucuresti), Valentin Calafeteanu (Dinamo Bucuresti), Florin Surugiu (Olimpia Bucuresti), Ionut Dimofte (Steaua Bucuresti), Andrei Filip (Dinamo Bucuresti), Razvan Stanca (Dinamo Bucuresti), Adrian Barbuliceanu (Dinamo Bucuresti), Catalin Dascalu (Steaua Bucuresti), Madalin Lemnaru (Aurel Vlaicu Arad), Stefan Ciuntu (Dinamo Bucuresti), Catalin Nicolae (Farul Constanta),Florin Vlaicu (Steaua Bucuresti), Ionut Botezatu (Baia Mare)
Expected weather conditions: 30% chance of rain, the day witha 50% chance of snow at night, a high of 6°C, dropping to -1°C with a northwester top make it even colder.
Referee: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
Touch judges: Iain Heard (Scotland), Ronnie Dumma (Scotland)
Portugal vs Spain at Estadio Universitario, Lisbon on Saturday, 15 March 2009, kick-off 15.30
Spain, thrashed in Madrid by Georgia recently, have brought in some new faces from France - Mickaël López, Mathieu Gratton and Mathieu López. And then there is Jersey-born Matt Cook who played for Bedford Blues at one stage. He has been in Madrid for five years and so residentially qualified to play for Spain.
Teams
Spain squad: Spain squad: José Maria Bohorquez (Cajasol Rugby Ciencias), Leandro Fernández-Aramburu (Cajasol Rugby Ciencias), Sebastián Hattori (Cajasol Rugby Ciencias), Jesús Núñez (Cajasol Rugby Ciencias), Jaime Nava (Cetransa El Salvador), Diego Zarzosa (Cetransa El Salvador), Matthew Cook (La Vila), Sérgio Guerrero (UE Santboiana), César Bernasconi (Madrid), Juan Cano (Madrid), Javier Canosa (Madrid), Juan González (Madrid), Ion Insausti (Madrid), Javier Salazar (Madrid), César Sempere (Madrid), MatíasTudela (Madrid), Jeremías Palumbo (Getxo Artea), Damien Elgoyhen (Bayonne, France), Mickael López (Bayonne, France), Julien Tourtoulou (Colomiers, France), Mathieu Gratton (Graulhet, France), Mathieu López (Mont-de-Marsan), Martín Goenaga (Gran Parma, Italy)
Portugal: unknown
Expected weather conditions: Scattered clouds with a high of 21°C and a low of 12°C and a northerly breeze
Referee: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Touch judges: Alan Falzone (Italy), Simone Colantonio (Italy)