The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales, Dame Rosemary Butler AM, made the announcement at the Queen’s Birthday Party Reception at the British Embassy in Tblisi today (Tuesday 10 June), as Wales seeks to increase economic and cultural links with the country.
The match would be a return fixture for the two sides who met at the Brewery Field in March 2012, the Georgia International XV coming away with a hard fought win.
The venue and timing of the match is yet to be decided but Dame Rosemary Butler, who has had close links with Georgia for the past 20 years, welcomed the move.
“The national sport in Wales is rugby and this is one of the things that brings Wales and Georgia together. Georgia has a remarkable tradition of rugby and has produced many great players over the years.
“In order to mark the focus on Wales at this Queen’s Birthday Party, we have been talking to the Welsh Rugby Union to see how we recognise Wales’ relationship and friendship with Georgia,” said the Presiding Officer.
“I am delighted to announce today that the Welsh Rugby Union will be sending a WRU President’s Premiership XV to play a fixture against a Georgian XV in the forthcoming 2014/15 season to celebrate the special relationship between our two countries.”
WRU president Dennis Gethin said, “We are pleased to be able to offer Georgia the option to host a return fixture against a President’s Premiership XV next season. Georgia is a proud, rugby playing nation and we see it part of our remit to play and travel to countries outside of the Tier One nations in order to support the development of rugby.
“The game played at the Brewery Field two years ago was particularly competitive and I’m sure the players in the Principality Premiership will be keen to impress in the coming months in order to earn a place in the squad.”
The Presiding Officer also talked about trade and investment opportunities between the two countries at the British Embassy reception.
