Georgia seal World Rugby Nations Cup Pool B title with a round to spare

Georgia secured the World Rugby Nations Cup 2026 Pool B title on Saturday, defeating the Netherlands 55-31 in Tbilisi to move onto 24 points and confirm their place at the top of the Europe, Asia and Africa pool with one round of fixtures still to play.

Portugal’s concurrent defeat to Samoa in Lisbon proved the decisive second result, eliminating any mathematical possibility of Georgia being overtaken. Pierre-Henri Broncan’s side had already impressed throughout the campaign, and they now enter the final round as confirmed champions.

The result marks a significant milestone for Georgian rugby, with the Lelos claiming the inaugural Nations Cup pool title in front of their home support at a venue that has become a fortress for the national side.

Attention now shifts to Pool A, where the USA had the opportunity to join Georgia as Nations Cup champions. A victory for the Eagles over Romania in Bucharest would secure top spot in their pool and complete the two-champion picture for the inaugural tournament.

Both pool winners are set to receive their trophies during the competition’s final round on November 20-21, bringing the first edition of the Nations Cup to a formal close.

Georgia’s squad for the victory over the Netherlands was: 15 Davit Niniashvili, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Giorgi Shvelidze, 12 Tornike Kakhoidze, 11 Dachi Papunashvili, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Beka Gorgadze, 7 Beka Saginadze, 6 Luka Ivanishvili, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 4 Gagui Margvelashvili, 3 Batchuki Tchumbadze, 2 Vano Karkadze, 1 Giorgi Akhaladze. Replacements: 16 Vakhtang Jintcharadze, 17 Nika Abuladze, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Giorgi Javakhia, 20 Mikheili Shioshvili, 21 Beka Shvangiradze, 22 Gela Aprasidze, 23 Luka Tabatadze.