Richard Cockerill, the former England hooker, took charge of the Georgian national team earlier this year, alongside coaching Black Lion, Georgia’s domestic rugby team.
He recently coached them to a fourth European Super Cup title after beating Lusitanos of Portugal 36-0. Cockerill was a former England forwards coach (2021-23) before being named interim England head coach in 2022 after Eddie Jones left his role as head coach.
Georgia will also take on an All Blacks XV on 10th November, before seeing out their November campaign, when they host Tonga on 24th November.
“We have to show our supporters and the rugby world what Georgian rugby is about and what playing us is about,” said Cockerill.
During the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, Georgia claimed a major scalp when they beat Wales 12-13 in Cardiff, claiming their first victory against the Welsh. They will be hoping to repeat the feat and claim another Championship scalp when they face Italy.
Georgia faced Australia in a summer tour match, where they produced a piece of magic when Aka Tabutsadze scored a stunning 110m try. Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to inspire his team to a historic victory as they were beaten 40-29 by an Australian side who had just done a clean sweep against Wales in a two-Test series.
