Abuladze and Tchumbadze to pack down against Tonga
Published on: 12/11/2026
Two Exeter Chiefs props will feature for Georgia this weekend as Nika Abuladze and Bachuki Tchumbadze have both been selected in the 23 to face Tonga.
The Georgians maintained their unbeaten run in the World Rugby Nations Cup with a 59-14 result over Canada in Tblisi last Saturday.
Georgian head coach Pierre-Henri Broncan selects Abuladze on the bench with Tchumbadze starting at tighthead prop in the country’s 300th international match in it’s 37-year rugby union history.
This weekend’s game takes place at the Avchala Stadium again, with five changes made to last weekend’s match 23. Hooker Vano Karkadze coming into the side places him at hooker alongside Tchumbadze.
Saturday’s game will be broadcast live on RugbyPass TV, or you can check their score updates on the Georgia Instagram account here.
Georgia
15. Davit Niniashvili
14. Akaki Tabutsadze
13. Giorgi Shvelidze
12. Tornike Kakhoidze
11. Dachi Papunashvili
10. Luka Matkava
9. Vasil Lobzhanidze.
1. Giorgi Akhaladze
2. Vano Karkadze
3. Bachuki Tchumbadze
4. Gagi Margvelashvili
5. Kote Mikautadze
6. Luka Ivanishvili
7. Beka Saghinadze
8. Beka Gorgadze.
Replacements:
16. Vakhtang Jincharadze
17. Nika Abuladze
18. Beka Gigashvili
19. Giorgi Javakhia
20. Mikheil Shioshvili
21. Beka Shvangiradze
22. Gela Aprasidze
23. Luka Tabatadze
Written By:
Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club
