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Eng v Geo © Getty Images
Ben Cohen tries to find space around the Georgia defence

ENG 84 v GEO 6: What they said

13/10/2003

 

England coach Clive Woodward on the opening victory:

"I was very pleased. It was a very tough game. The Georgians did very well and they're a very big team. So well done to Georgia. We needed that sort of hit out."

On the most pleasing aspect of the game:

"Just to get through the game. Early on we were very sloppy. But it was good to get the first game out of the way and I'm looking forward to playing South Africa next week."

On Kyran Bracken withdrawing before the game:

"He said this morning his back was sore. It was just one of those things. We didn't want to risk anyone going into this game and we have a strong bench."

On the injury to Matt Dawson:

"It's too early to say. It's a bang to the leg. We'll leave it to the medical staff and see tomorrow morning."

England captain Martin Johnson on the game:

"It was a strange game played differently than we expected. It was very wet, so occasionally that let us down."

On Georgia's performance:

"We needed a run out and they were tough and  physical. They battled all the way through the game."

On the pleasing aspects of the England game:

"We have won the game without conceding any tries, and defensively we were pretty sound. No team will play their best game the first game of the tournament.

England number 8 Lawrence DALLAGLIO scorer of one try, on the game:

"We made a lot of mistakes tonight. But we tried things perhaps we wouldn't do in other matches. It was just important to get everyone out on the field."

On the Georgian team:

"Georgia, you know, credit to them in the commitment they showed right the way through."

"I thought Georgia played exceptionally well and often there is not too much to be read into the score although it is difficult not to. But I think everyone will admit they certainly tackled and ran right the way through to the end and made a good impression for their first time in the World Cup."

England fly half Jonny WILKINSON on the game:

"We just wanted to get out there and play. The conditions made it difficult. The fiery nature of the Georgians throughout the game was a big influence and why the ball was difficult to control. They were very aggressive. All credit to them."

Georgian coach Claude SAUREL on his team's performance:

"We worked hard, and so it was the feeling of a team who worked really hard and did their best. I am the kind of person who refuses to be negative and I would say that we have never played in this kind of international arena.

"We learned a lot from it and it is going to help us to prepare for the future and we are very willing and in the future we are looking forward to doing better and we are extremely happy to be here."

Georgian captain Vasil Katsadze on the game:

"It was the first match that we played and some of our players were a bit in shock because we were not used to play a team like England. But I can assure you that we learned a lot from it. We have three more matches to go and we are going to build on our strengths and the same enthusiasm in order to improve."

On playing in the RWC:

"It was a magic experience. We need to learn to play the game better."

Georgian Rugby Union Vice-President Zaza Kassachvili on the Georgian team:

"The team is born, the team has their first six points (in the match). We'll take the positive and we'll be working hard so Georgia can say and show that we want to be a rugby nation. We are very happy in every case, the baby is born in test Rugby."

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Links to Member Union websites

Georgian R.U.
The RFU

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