European Nations Cup

Two matches

There are two matches in the European Nations Cup this weekend, one an old rivalry between neighbours - Georgia and Romania - and one a determined attempt to avoid the wooden spoon - between the Czech Republic and Ukraine. Mind you Russia are also not out of the relegation mix. They have lost both their matches so far.

There are byes in France's professional competitions this weekend, which makes players more easily available.

Czech Republic vs Ukraine at RC Tatra Smichov Stadium in Prague at 14.00

Ukraine have lost to Portugal and Georgia. Czech Republic have lost to Portugal and Romania. That leaves them and Russia - beaten by Georgia and Ron mania - to fight it out for last place.

That makes this match crucial to both teams.

Ukraine are in their first year in the competition after replacing relegated Spain.

The Czech coach Christian Galonnier selected 22 players for this game, though Martin Jagr of Toulon is still to undergo a fitness test.

There are two new players in the side. Prop Jean-Baptiste Soucek, a Frenchman with Czech origins, played  for Auch last year before moving on to Miélan. Hooker Pavel Indrák, playing his first season in Pwllheli in North Wales.

Coach Vladimir Muha has made four changes to his starting team and two more on the bench. Out go both centres, Iaroslav Pereguda and Andriy Polosenko, flank Vitalii  Zadvirnyi, lock Volodymyr Koshelia and tighthead Sergiy Bubela.

In addition hooker Dmytro Levichev and Valerii Maksiuk drop off the bench,

Teams:

Czech Republic squad:

Forwards: Jirí Skall, Roman `uster, Jean-Baptiste Soucek, Jan Kubálek, Lukáa Rapant, Pavel Indrák, Robert Voves, Josef Weber, Jan Žíla, Ladislav Vondráaek (captain), Miroslav Nemecek, Patrik Leroch

Backs: Pavel Syrový, Vítezslav Dosedla, Martin Kafka, Michal Schlanger, Antonín Brabec, Martin Pekárek, Martin Jágr, Tomáa Krejcí, Jaroslav Tomcík, Jan Rohlík.

Ukraine: 15 Andriy Tyshchenko, 14 Oleg Kvasnytsya, 13 Oleksander Migunov, 12 Oleksiy Symonovych, 11 Sergiy Monastyrov, 10 Maksym Bilmovych, 9 Maksym Kravchenko, 8 Artur Martyrosyan, 7 Vadym Mazaltsev, 6 Sergiy Kureza, 5 Andriy Melnykov, 4 Oleksander Kushnir, 3 Oleg Rybchynskiy, 2 Dmytro Krasnoshchek, 1 Oleksandr Polyanskyy.
Replacements: 16 Oleg Mushynskiy, 17 Oleksiy Zybalo, 18 Dmytro Fedishyn, 19 Vasyl Titov, 20 Kostiantyn Dobrokhanskiy, 21 Vadym Kolyshkin, 22 Volodymyr Cherednychenko 
 
Referee: Jean-Luc Pellaprat (France)
 
Georgia vs Romania at National Stadium in Tbilissi

This could be a hard one, even for the Romanians who have a champions' look about them. The Georgians will be tough. In fact the match could boil down to a great forward battle. Beyond the forwards the Romanians with scrumhalf Lucian Sirbu and centre Romeo Gontineac to give direction could just outrun the Lelos.

Apart from the competition the teams play for the Antim Cup, named for a saint common to both countries. This will be the fourth time it is in competition. Georgia have yet to win it.

In six matches between Georgia and Romania, Georgia have won once.

Apart from the loss of injured Ovidiu Tonita, the Oaks have been strengthened by the return of former captain Romeo Gontineac, great prop Petru Balan, loose forward Florin Corodeanu and hooker Marius Tincu.

Of the squad the following play abroad: Petru Balan (Biarritz), Cezar Popescu (Tarbes), Marcel Socaciu (Rovigo), Bogdan Balan (Bordeuax Begles), Marius Tincu (Pau), Razvan Mavrodin (Tarbes), Sorin Socol (Agen), George Oprisor (Perpignan), Cristian Petre (Tarbes), Costica Mersoiu (Perigueux), Florin Corodeanu (Grenoble), Marian Tudori (Perigueux), Lucian Sirbu (Métro Racing), Ionut Tofan (Métro Racing), Cristian Sauan (Rovigo), Romeo Gontineac (Aurillac), Vasile Maftei (Aurillac).

Romania: 15 Danut Dumbrava, 14 Cristian Sauan, 13 Vali Maftei, 12 Romeo Gontineac, 11 Ioan Teodorescu, 10 Ionut Tofan, 9 Lucian Sirbu, 8 Florin Corodeanu, 7 Marian Tudori, 6 Costica Mersoiu, 5 Cristian Petre, 4 Sorin Socol (captain),  3 Marcel Socaciu, 2 Marius Tincu, 1 Petru Balan.
Replacements: 16 Cezar Popescu, 17 Razvan Mavrodin, 18 Bogdan Balan, 19 George Oprisor, 20 Iulian Andrei, 21 Darie Curea, 22 Vasile Ghioc 

Georgia: 15 Otar Barkalaia, 14 Makho Urjukashvili, 13 Tedo Zibzibadze, 12 Irakli Guiorgadze, 11 Irakli Machkhaneli, 10 Paliko Jimsheladze, 9 Irakli Abusseridze, 8 Besso Udessiani, 7 Guia Labadze, 6 Rati Urushadze , 5 Mamuka Gorgodze, 4 Ilia Zedguinidze (captain),  3 David Zerakashvili, 2 Akvsenti Guiorgadze, 1 Mamuka Magrakvelidze.
Replacements: 16 Micheal Sujashvili, 17 Avtandil Kopaliani, 18 Levan Datunashvili, 19 Zviad Maissuradze, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 Lasha Pirpilashvili, 22 Zviad Koberidze 

Referee: Giulio De Santis (Italy)