Warren Gatland Linked With Georgia Role as Italy Showdown Looms
The search for the next Georgia head coach has taken a massive twist, with Warren Gatland emerging as the shock frontrunner to replace Richard Cockerill.
Sources in Tbilisi suggest the Georgian Rugby Union is preparing its most ambitious recruitment drive to date, targeting the former Wales and British & Irish Lions boss to lead the Lelos into a defining Rugby World Cup campaign in 2027.
With the pools now confirmed—and a grudge match against Italy on the horizon—the timing for a heavyweight appointment couldn’t be better.
Georgia Rugby Head Coach Cockerill exit leaves door open
Richard Cockerill’s sudden departure this week marked the end of a solid, if unspectacular, era for Georgian rugby.
The former England hooker did exactly what was asked of him: he dominated the Rugby Europe Championship and secured qualification for Australia 2027 with minimal fuss. However, the feeling within the union is that the team has hit a glass ceiling. While the Lelos remain untouchable against Tier 2 opposition like Portugal and Spain, they have struggled to turn competitive performances against Tier 1 nations into victories.
Cockerill stabilized the ship, but Georgia is now looking for a captain to take them into deep waters.
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Why Warren Gatland is the primary target
If these rumors solidify into a contract, hiring Warren Gatland would be a statement that Georgia is done with “moral victories.”
Gatland is widely regarded as one of the best tournament coaches in the history of the game. His resume speaks for itself: multiple Grand Slams with Wales, semi-final appearances at the World Cup, and a series draw with the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand.
But it is his style of play that makes him such an intriguing fit for the Lelos. Gatland’s rugby DNA is built on:
- Set-piece dominance: A non-negotiable for Georgian rugby.
- Territorial pressure: A tactical kicking game that Georgia often lacks.
- Physical attrition: Winning the arm-wrestle in the final 20 minutes.
Gatland specializes in taking teams with limited resources and making them incredibly difficult to beat. For a Georgian side that has the power but often lacks the tactical discipline to close out tight games, he looks like the missing piece of the puzzle.
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The Pool B factor: The “Six Nations” audition
The urgency to secure a world-class strategist like Warren Gatland becomes obvious when looking at the confirmed RWC 2027 Georgia pool.
Georgia has been drawn in Pool B, handing them a brutally difficult but clear mission. Their opponents are:
- South Africa (Defending Champions)
- Italy
- Romania
This draw is the ultimate narrative for Georgian rugby. While toppling the Springboks is likely a bridge too far, the fixture against Italy is arguably the most important game in the Lelos’ history.
For years, Georgia has campaigned for inclusion in the Six Nations, arguing they are equal to, or better than, the Azzurri. In Australia, they will have 80 minutes on a neutral field to prove it.
A defining moment
The Georgian Rugby Union knows that 2027 is not just about participation; it is about credibility.
To beat Italy and secure automatic qualification for the knockout stages (or at least a favorable ranking), they need a coach who knows how to navigate the pressure of high-stakes test rugby. Warren Gatland has made a career out of beating Italian sides in the Six Nations.
If Georgia can land his signature, the clash in Pool B won’t just be a group game—it will be a verdict on the future of European rugby.
