RC Batumi

{{Short description|Rugby union club based in Batumi, Georgia}} {{Infobox rugby team | teamname = RC Batumi | image =RC_Batumi_club_logo.jpg | imagesize = | union = Georgia Rugby Union | fullname = Rugby Club Batumi LLC | nickname = | location = Batumi, Georgia | region = Adjara | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1969}} | chairman = | ceo = | rugby director = Gela Kobuladze | coach = Irakli Ninidze | captain =Giorgi Tkhilaishvili | appearances = | top scorer = | most tries = | league = Didi 10 | season = 2023–24 | position = '''5th''' | url = | ground = Batumi Rugby Stadium | capacity = 2 555 | pattern_la1 = | pattern_b1 = _lightbluehoops | pattern_ra1 = | pattern_so1 = _skyband | leftarm1 = | body1 = | rightarm1 = | shorts1 = | socks1 = | pattern_la2 = | pattern_b2 = _upper_gold | pattern_ra2 = | pattern_so2 = | leftarm2 = 224fb4 | body2 = 224fb4 | rightarm2 = 224fb4 | shorts2 = 224fb4 | socks2 = 224fb4 }} '''Rugby Club Batumi LLC''' is a Georgian professional rugby union club from Batumi, who plays in the Didi 10, the first division of Georgian rugby. They have won the competition a total of 5 times.

== History ==

=== Didi 10 === They have won the top flight competition in Georgia 4 times over its history, the first coming in 1998–99, beating then reigning champions RC Kochebi Bolnisi. Their next title came in 2002, in an all Batumi final with the 1st team going up against the 2nd team, the 1st XV were victorious 27–10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=კაცთა შინაური კვარცხლბეკი |url=https://stat-rugby-ge.translate.goog/GANZI/D10-KVARCXLBEKY.htm?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=stat-rugby-ge.translate.goog}}</ref>

=== European Rugby Continental Shield === Batumi were invited to the 2017–18 European Rugby Continental Shield, they were seeded in Pool B with Italian sides Calvisano and Petrarca, as well as Portuguese side CDUL. With 2 wins and 2 losses Batumi finished second in their group advancing to the Pool play offs, being beaten by the Timișoara Saracens 32–18 over two matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017/18 Continental Shield |url=http://rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/49?Stagione=2017%2F18 |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Rugby Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Neacsu |first=Daniel |date=2017-12-13 |title=Timisoara Saracens este pregatita de drumul de 2000 de kilometri pentru urmatoarea confruntare europeana {{!}} OpiniaTimisoarei.ro |url=https://www.opiniatimisoarei.ro/timisoara-saracens-este-pregatita-de-drumul-de-2000-de-kilometri-pentru-urmatoarea-confruntare-europeana/13/12/2017 |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Opinia Timisoarei |language=ro-RO}}</ref>

=== Rugby Europe Super Cup === After winning the Didi 10 in the 2021–22 season, RC Batumi were invited to the 2022 Rugby Europe Super Cup to replace the two Russian sides after Enisei-STM and Lokomotiv Penza were suspended form the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Batumi to join the Rugby Europe Super Cup |url=https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/news/batumi-to-join-the-rugby-europe-super-cup |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Rugby Europe |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RC Batumi raring to go in Rugby Europe Super Cup |url=https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/news/rc-batumi-raring-to-go-in-rugby-europe-super-cup |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Rugby Europe |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rugby Europe Statement – Russia and Belarus Suspension |url=https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/news/rugby-europe-statement-russia-and-belarus-suspension |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Rugby Europe |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Their first match was a Georgian derby against the reigning champions Black Lion, Batumi falling to a 29–3 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RC Batumi vs Black Lion |url=https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/rugby-europe-super-cup-2022/re-super-cup/rc-batumi-v-black-lion |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Rugby Europe}}</ref> Their first win came on the 24 September against that years runners-up, beating Israeli side Tel Aviv Heat 19–11.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RC Batumi vs Tel Aviv Heat |url=https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/media/0hrlxgvl/220924-gamesheet-bat-tlv.pdf |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Rugby Europe}}</ref> They finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference missing out on qualification for the semifinals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rugby Europe Super Cup 2022 |url=https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/rugby-europe-super-cup-2022/re-super-cup |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Rugby Europe}}</ref> They did not go on to feature in the 2023 edition of the competition.

== Current squad ==

=== Players === {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="3" |RC Batumi squad for the 2024–25 Didi 10 season |- | ==== Props ====

* {{Flagicon|GEO}} Saba Surmanidze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Giga Kobakhidze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Aleko Shamilishvili * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Iona Pirtskhalava * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Rezo Margalitadze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Raindi Doghania * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Luka Putkaradze

==== Hookers ====

* {{Flagicon|GEO}} Vazha Tagauri * {{Ruicon|GEO}} Tornike Gabelaia

==== Locks ====

* {{Flagicon|GEO}} Giga Julukhadze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Gaga Arabuli * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Lasha Pofkhadze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Nukri Ferselidze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Giorgi Sharvashidze |

==== Back-row ====

* {{Flagicon|GEO}} Giorgi Iremadze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Giorgi Shukakidze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} '''Giorgi Tkhilaishvili''' * {{Flagicon|GEO}} * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Vano Putkaradze

==== Scrum-halves ====

* {{Flagicon|GEO}} Giorgi Margalitadze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Archil Turmanidze

==== Fly-halves ====

* {{Flagicon|GEO}} Buba Nozadze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} '''Rezi Djintchvelashvili'''

==== Centres ====

* {{Flagicon|GEO}} Kavekini Tabu * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Giorgi Tsiklauri * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Otar Metreveli * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Nika Dumbadze

==== Outside Backs ====

* {{Flagicon|GEO}} Zura Ninidze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Peter Williams * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Roma Makhatadze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} Vazha Mikadze * {{Flagicon|GEO}} * {{Flagicon|GEO}} '''Alexander Todua''' * {{Flagicon|GEO}} David Trapaidze |- | colspan="3" |Key

* Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in '''bold'''. * * denotes players qualified to play for Georgia on dual nationality or residency grounds. * † denotes players dual-registered with Black Lion. |}

=== Staff === {| class="wikitable" !Role<ref>{{Cite web |title=დიდი 10 {{!}} ბათუმი |url=https://stat-rugby-ge.translate.goog/2023-2024/SIA/0_D10/D10_BATUMI.htm?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=stat-rugby-ge.translate.goog}}</ref> !Name |- |Manager |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Gigi Khocholava |- |Director of Rugby |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Gela Kobuladze |- |Head Coach |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Irakli Ninidze |- |Assistant Coach |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Davit Gugushvili |- |Assistant Coach |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Paliko Jimsheladze |- |Physical Trainer |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Giorgi Chkhartishvili |- |Video Analysis |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Irakli Bezhanidze |- |Team Doctor |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Paata Tsintsabadze |- |Physio |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Tiko Laitadze |- |PR Manager |{{Flagicon|GEO}} Lizi Khalvashi |}

== Record in European games == {{As of|2024|August|15}} {| class="wikitable" !'''Opponent''' !'''Competition''' !Pld !W !D !L !PF !PA !PD |- |{{Ruicon|GEO}} Black Lion |Rugby Europe Super Cup |2 |0 |0 |2 |3 |66 | +63 |- |{{Ruicon|DEU}} Heidelberger RK |European Rugby Continental Shield |1 |1 |0 |0 |33 |16 | +17 |- |{{Ruicon|ROM}} Romanian Wolves |Rugby Europe Super Cup |2 |1 |0 |1 |40 |33 | +7 |- |{{Ruicon|ITA}} Rugby Rovigo Delta |European Rugby Continental Shield |1 |0 |0 |1 |27 |31 | -4 |- |{{Ruicon|ISR}} Tel Aviv Heat |Rugby Europe Super Cup |2 |1 |0 |1 |27 |36 | -9 |- |{{Ruicon|ROM}} Timișoara Saracens |European Rugby Continental Shield |3 |1 |0 |2 |38 |49 | -11 |- |{{Ruicon|ITA}} Rugby Viadana |European Rugby Continental Shield |1 |0 |0 |1 |31 |27 | -4 |}

== Notable players ==

=== Internationals ===

* {{Ruicon|GEO}} Giorgi Tkhilaishvili * {{Ruicon|GEO}} Alexander Todua * {{Ruicon|GEO}} Lasha Khmaladze * {{Ruicon|GEO}} Luka Matkava * {{Ruicon|GEO}} Anzor Sitchinava * {{Ruicon|GEO}} Saba Shubitidze * {{Ruicon|GEO}} Niko Aptsiauri

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |+Rugby World Cup !Tournament !Players selected !{{nrut|Georgia}} players |- |1987–2011 |0 |– |- |2015 |1 |Giorgi Tkhilaishvili |- |2019 |3 |Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Alexander Todua, Lasha Khmaladze |- |2023 |3 |Luka Matkava, Alexander Todua, Lasha Khmaladze |}

==Honours== *'''Didi 10''' ** '''Champions: (4) 1998–99, 2001–02, 2018–19, 2021–22''' ** ''Runners-up: (6) 1997–98, 2000–01, 2008–09, 2016–17, 2020–21, 2022–23''

==See also== *:Category:RC Batumi players *Didi 10

== References == <references />

==External links== *[http://site.rugby.ge/ka-GE/Batumi/ Batumi]

Category:Rugby union teams in Georgia (country) Category:Rugby clubs established in 1969 Category:Sport in Batumi Category:1969 establishments in the Soviet Union Category:Rugby Europe Super Cup