Nations Cup 2026 round four preview: Georgia v Canada

Venue: Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)

Georgia showed why they are rated as a coming force in world rugby by topping the Europe, Asia and Africa pool with three wins from three on the road.

The Lelos outscored Uruguay at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo in a thrilling 41-34 victory in round one before beating Samoa 33-12 at the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar in Chile.

They then showed their class again by dispatching hosts Chile 49-22 in Santiago to sit at the top of their pool.

Georgia fly-half Luka Matkava is currently the tournament’s leading points scorer with 49 points and has landed all 19 attempts at the posts with 13 conversions and six penalties.

The Oyonnax playmaker will be partnered by scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze against Canada while Davit Niniashvili will captain the side from full-back.

Georgia have won each of their last three matches against Canada and will be looking to beat them for the fifth successive time on home soil.

In-form Georgia have won seven of their eight matches in 2026, only losing 19-17 to Portugal in the Rugby Europe Men's Championship final in March, and an eighth victory would mark their most successful calendar year since 2018 when they also registered eight wins.

Canada, meanwhile, have one win so far after beating Zimbabwe 23-19 in round three.

Matt Beukeboom is poised to make his first international appearance in nine years, Tyler Ardron also returns for the first time since Canada’s opening Nations Cup fixture against Spain in July while Nic Benn makes first international appearance since November 2025.

Jack Gore could earn his first cap off the bench just days before his 19th birthday and captain Lucas Rumball will start at openside flanker with vice-captain Ben LeSage at inside-centre.

Canada head coach Stephen Meehan is expecting a stern test, saying: “Georgia are a physical, confrontational team with an aggressive defensive line speed, a strong set-piece and an athletic backline. It will be important for us to be smart in how we respond to those challenges and how we look to dictate the tempo of the game.

“We want to play with intent, strike when opportunities present themselves and move Georgia around the pitch. We’re continuing to develop a style of rugby that suits our strengths while constantly looking for ways to improve. We believe it’s an exciting way to play the game, and one that the players are fully invested in.”