Team profile: Georgia

Georgia have competed in the last two World Cups. Photo / Getty Images

Georgia will be out to win just their second ever World Cup game, which will be a tall order in a strong pool.

Team bio:
World Cup Appearances: 2
Last World Cup result: Group stages
Best-ever RWC: Group stages
IRB Ranking: 16
Head Coach: Richard Dixon
Key player: Big loose forward Mamuka Gorgodze, if he brings his best form to the cup.

Overview:
Nicknamed the Lelos - after a traditional Georgian game which roughly resembles rugby - Georgia are making their third straight appearance in the finals.

They have made rapid progress to the point of now being Europe's best team outside the Six Nations.

However their cup debut was ignominious, an 84-6 loss to England in Perth eight years ago. Four years later they gave Ireland a dreadful fright in Bordeaux, losing 14-10.

Georgia qualified this time as Europe No 1 with a 36-8 win over Russia in March 2010, and clinched the European Nations Cup for a fourth time.

Several players have had their game sharpened in the French Top 14 competition.

They enjoy a decent forward rumble where they have used their strength to good effect. The Georgians have also been known as the Tractor Pullers, a reference to their training regime at a time when resources were, ahem, skinny.

Loose forward Mamuka Gorgodze, a trifling 1.96m and 120kg, was named best foreigner in the 2010-11 season in France by sports daily L'Equipe. His Montpellier teammates know him as Gorgodzilla.

Georgia broke their cup duck with a 30-0 win over Namibia four years ago. Expect them to be targeting Romania and Scotland this time round.

They are coached by former Scottish boss Richie Dixon.

And forward Vasil Kakovin's claim to fame? He's the only player in the squad whose surname doesn't end in a vowel.

Fixtures:
Pool B:
Wednesday September 14 v Scotland, Rugby Park Stadium (Invercargill)
Sunday September 18 v England, Otago Stadium (Dunedin)
Wednesday September 28 v Romania Arena Manawatu (Palmerston North)
Sunday October 2 v Argentina, Arena Manawatu (Palmerston North)