Georgia may have run riot against Germany last weekend, but they
will arrive in Lisbon for their European Nations Cup encounter with
Portugal knowing victory will take them a step closer to RWC 2011
qualification.
The Lelos crossed for 11 tries in a 77-3 victory over Germany
in Tbilisi to remain one point clear of Russia at the top of the
European Nations Cup standings, with the top two sides to secure
direct passage to RWC 2011 in New Zealand.
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Georgia are the only unbeaten side remaining in the six-team
top tier, although Portugal came within a whisker of victory a year
ago in Tbilisi, a last gasp conversion by Merab Kvirikashvili
securing a 20-20 draw.
The sides, who both played at Rugby World Cup 2007 in France,
will come face to face at the Estádio Universitário de Lisboa on
Saturday with hosts Portugal knowing victory is vital to their
hopes of securing one of the direct qualification spots.
Portugal remain third in the standings but have slipped to
four points behind Georgia after suffering a narrow 14-10 loss to
second placed Russia in wet and muddyconditions in Sochi last
weekend.
Another loss, allied with a Russian victory over Spain in
Madrid, would leave Portugal five points adrift of second spot and
in danger of being forced through the play-off route to secure a
place at RWC 2011.
Portugal may have qualified for their first ever Rugby World
Cup via that route, but will be only too aware of the perils of
that process having only beaten Uruguay to that 20th spot in 2007
by a single point on aggregate.
Russia or Georgia on rise?
If Portugal can hand Georgia their first loss in the
competition spanning two years, then Tomaz Morais' side will
climb one place in the IRB World Rankings to 20th at the expense of
Uruguay, who themselves must negotiate the play-off route if they
are to play at RWC 2011.
Georgia currently sit 18th with only thousandths separating
them from Russia, but while defeat to Portugal will not see them
fall any places, it could actually still see them return to 17th if
their neighbours lose to Spain.
Even if Russia and Georgia both record wins on the road, it
is the latter who will enjoy a one place climb in the rankings,
with Russia remaining in 17th and the USA Eagles falling two places
to 18th.
However, if Georgia and Portugal draw for the third time in
five meetings then a Russian victory will see them climb above the
USA into 16th with the Lelos remaining in their current position.
For Spain, victory over Russia is virtually a must to keep
their hopes of qualifying for a first World Cup since 1999 alive as
they trail third placed Portugal by six points with only four
matches remaining.
Vital match for Spain
A home win in Madrid - against a side that has beaten them by
more than 15 points in their last five meetings - could improve
their ranking of 22nd by one or two places, depending on the margin
and the outcome of the match in Lisbon.
If Portugal win, then Spain will only improve their ranking
with a victory by more than 15 points, which would see Uruguay fall
two places. A smaller victory will only bring Spain to within four
tenths of the South Americans.
By contrast defeat for Spain will see them fall one place to
23rd with Namibia the beneficiaries. Portugal could also slip below
the African qualifier for RWC 2011 if they lose by more than 15
points to Georgia.
The weekend's other European Nations Cup match sees
Romania take on Germany in Constanta, the tie having been moved
from Bucharest due to freezing conditions which saw the Oaks'
meeting with Spain postponed last Saturday.
Romania's rating will be unchanged even with an emphatic
victory over Germany, a side they beat 22-0 in Heidelberg last
year, as they currently sit seven places and more than 8 points
above a nation still seeking their first win in the top tier.
With Germany trailing the side above them in the rankings -
Korea - by more than two points, the only way they can climb to a
new high is with a victory by more than 15 points over Romania.
This would see them jump three places to 23rd.
The IRB World Rankings update every Monday at 12:00 UK time.
