how France has become a welcoming land for Georgian players

No less than 18 players, out of the 33 called up for the Georgia team, play in France, in the Top 14 or in ProD2. This recourse to Georgian players began at the end of the 1990s, at the initiative of Claude Saurel, the former coach of the Béziers club. At the time, he was approached by a Georgian leader, who invited him to visit them. “I went there and I came across some absolutely passionate people, great players made for rugby. “

But in this country of barely four million inhabitants, everything needs to be rebuilt. “It was complicated. At first it was a disaster. They had nothing at all. The country had just finished a war against the Russians, and there was still a lot of violence. I had bodyguards for four or five years. Then I realized that the players weren’t getting enough food, so it seemed difficult to continue to have any sporting requirements! “

“I convinced the leaders to let them leave Georgia, to bring them to France. I brought 80.”

Claude Saurel

to franceinfo

>> To read: The contrasting history of Georgian rugby, banned by Stalin and resuscitated by the French

Twenty years later, the Georgian industry continues. For Claude Saurel, there is no doubt: this exodus allowed the Lélos (the nickname of the Georgian selection) to grow quickly, with a historic qualification for the World Cup, from 2003. During this time, rugby was structured in the country from 350 to 21,000 licensees, but it is still difficult for players to return to the fold. “The minimum wage there is still 200 or 250 euros. There is a disproportion between what they can earn in France and what they earn in Georgia.“

“The Georgian federation’s budget is four million euros. There are Federal 1 clubs in France which have this budget!”

Claude Saurel

to franceinfo

But Claude Saurel is still working on the development of Georgian rugby, especially for young people. As a thank you, the Federation has just offered him Georgian nationality. So for this match between the XV of France and Georgia in Bordeaux, he will support “the beautiful game“, he concludes.