Georgia's feat in reaching the World Cup is remarkable - but it is also thanks to a big helping hand from France.

They have been integrally involved in the history of the sport in Georgia and the "Lelos" will be led by a French coach Claude Saurel when they make their first appearance on the biggest stage of all.

Their debut will be against an England side fancied by many to win the tournament while a meeting with South Africa will ensure that the experience is a memorable one for the country's rugby pioneers.

Saurel first arrived in Georgia in 1997 with a brief to assess the standard of sport and he and his development team have helped boost the profile of the sport to the extent that it is now considered the country's most popular team sport, even ahead of football.

Georgia's most famous player is prop Levan Tsabadze, a former Olympic wrestler who now plays for Montferrand after earlier spells with Castres and Begles-Bordeaux.

It was Tsabadze whose try against Russia ensured that the Georgians would be able to take their place in Australia alongside the giants of the world game.

But he misses the tournament due to injury.

Other players have also picked up experience in France including Tours duo Makho Urjukashvili and Tedo Zibzibadze.

The increased profile offered by the country's appearance in the World Cup is likely to increase the reputation of the sport in Georgia as the country's colours of wine-red with grey and white trim are exposed on the biggest stage of all.

Squad: Irakli Abuseridze, David Bolghashvili, Georg Chkhaidze, David Dadunashvili, Victor Didebulidze, Akvsenti Giorgadze, Irakli Giorgadze, Irakli Gundishvili, Sergo Gujaraidze, Pavle Jimsheladze, Vassil Katsadze, Archil Kavtarashvili, Bessik Khamashuridze, Badri Khekhelashvili, Gocha Khonelidze, David Kiknadze, Avtandil Kopaliani, Merab Kvirikashvili, Grigol Labadze, Ikla Machkhaneli, Aleko Margvelashvili, Irakli Modebadze, Zurab Mtchedlishvili, Vano Nadiradze, Sosso Nikolaenko, Goderdzi Shvelidze, George Tsiklauri, Malkhaz Urjukashvili, Gregoire Yachvili, Tedo Zibzibadze.