Georgia has dominated the Rugby Europe Championship once again, achieving its eighth consecutive title with a convincing 46-28 win against Spain on March 16, 2025. Following this victory, Georgia’s head coach Richard Cockerill is advocating for his team to face Wales in a play-off for the 2026 Six Nations. Cockerill argues it would be logical for Georgia, having secured their title, to have the opportunity to prove their mettle against Wales, who are struggling immensely.
Wales is currently mired in woeful form, having finished bottom of the Six Nations for the second consecutive year and experiencing 17 straight test match losses. Their most recent humiliation came from England, who handed them their heaviest defeat yet, 68-14, during the 2025 Six Nations on March 15. This continued decline raises questions about Wales’ status within tier one rugby, especially as they have not recorded a victory since defeating Georgia at the Rugby World Cup 2023.
Cockerill’s sentiments are not just born out of pride but from belief. He stated, “If you are finishing bottom of the Six Nations why do you just get free rein to turn up next year and play?” He emphasizes the need for competition and how it can motivate teams to improve. He believes a potential play-off match against Wales could be one of the richest games in world rugby and suggests it would generate enormous interest. “That would be a game people would want to watch,” he stated.
The call for a play-off stems from Cockerill’s belief not only in Georgia's rising ability but also their established pedigree, underlined by the 17 second-tier titles they have secured. Georgia's consistency has seen them rise to 11th place on the World Rugby rankings, surpassing Wales, which is currently languishing at the lowest position it has ever held.
While Cockerill ardently supports the idea of this play-off, he acknowledges the significant hurdles it faces. “If you’re in the Six Nations you wouldn’t want to be voting for play-offs, would you? Because it might be you. The ramifications of not being in the Six Nations would be extremely challenging, both from rugby and financial perspectives,” he noted.
His analysis of Wales' current situation is incisive. Cockerill remarked, “Whoever takes the Welsh job needs more time to develop players to competitive levels.” He reflected on the importance of nurturing talent, noting, “Right now, are the players available for Wales really good enough to compete?” He believes many are not yet prepared to be competitive at the Six Nations level, hinting at the need to invest time and resources to grow players.
Cockerill himself was appointed the head coach of Georgia at the beginning of 2024. Having previously been part of Eddie Jones' England coaching setup and also led the team on an interim basis during Jones’ time, he brings valuable experience to the role. Despite the potential allure of taking on the Welsh head coach position, he made it clear he is focused entirely on developing Georgian rugby and creating opportunities for his team to thrive.
The Rugby World Cup 2027, set to be hosted by Australia, is scheduled to feature 24 teams for the first time. The qualification pathways have also been expanded, promising drama and excitement. A new format means 12 spots are allocated through regional competitions, and the teams participating have already begun to solidify their positions. Simultaneously, Georgia's recent triumph solidifies its place as one of the top competitors to watch.
The qualification process has seen Georgia, Portugal, Spain, and Romania secure their entries, with Belgium progressing after defeating the Netherlands. This competitive atmosphere reflects the growth and rise of rugby, particularly with nations like Georgia. Scott Lawrence, the head coach of the USA, highlighted the opportunities presented through this new qualification pathway, noting the exciting competition it brings.
The current state of Georgia rugby serves as both inspiration and warning for surrounding nations, particularly for Wales, who desperately need to re-establish their dominance. Cockerill has rightly pitched the idea of the play-off not just as competition, but as necessity for growth and development.
Reflecting on the current mismatch between the two sides, he concluded with optimism for the future: “We feel we’ve earned the right to compete at the highest level, and we want the opportunity to prove it.” With the right conditions and adequate support, Georgia could truly become one of the standout nations of international rugby, compelling even the once untouchable nations to take note.
Cockerill’s calls for accountability resonate strongly within the rugby community, serving as powerful reminders of what is necessary for the sport’s growth. Unless the governing bodies embrace challenging situations through play-offs, the distinctiveness of the Six Nations might come under threat as newer, ambitious teams seek meaningful competition.
Watching as the situation develops will be fascinating, and if the play-off does materialize, it could redefine the future of rugby strategy and open new doors for future talent pools. The call for Georgia to face off against Wales might just be the catalyst needed to shake the status quo and introduce meritocracy with the playoffs.
