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RUGBY 2007: Georgia set sights on France after thrashing Namibia

Georgia coach Malkhaz Cheishvili masterminded his country's first World Cup win and then set his sights on a second by beating France in Marseille on Sunday.

Georgia were worthy 30-0 winners over Namibia at a rain-swept Stade Felix Bollaert and now the Europeans insist they will not be overawed by a French side who need to win to ensure their last eight place.

"There is absolutely no question of letting go. We have to keep moving forward, keep focused. We have freed ourselves up mentally by winning and now we have to give our all for the next match," said Cheishvili, whose side ran in three tries against the hapless Namibians.

"Today it was real team work that allowed us to move forward. We want to move forward as a team, everyone together," Cheishvili said.

"I've got the team to face France in my head but not quite down on paper yet. Forty-eight hours before the match it will be finalized and announced. We need to look at injuries and see who is available. We have two days to recover and then we will see who is available," he said.

In common with many of the so-called minnows at this World Cup, Georgia, who ran Ireland close in a brave 14-10 defeat, called for a fairer distribution of the game's riches to allow the game to thrive outside of the elite nations.

"In Georgia we do as much as we can to move rugby forward. With financial assistance we could do far more than what we do now," the coach said.

"If I have any hope for the future of Georgian rugby, we hope that young Georgian players can play in more advanced rugby countries. Tonight these young players have experienced the future of Georgian rugby," Cheishvili said.
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