IRB to live stream key Rugby World Cup qualifier

The International Rugby Board, rugby union’s global governing body, has announced it will provide free live streaming of the key 2015 World Cup qualifier between Georgia and Romania, which takes place in Tblisi on Saturday.

The game will be available globally via the www.rugbyworldcup.com website.

Rugby World Cup Limited chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Making sure the match is streamed live and free around the world is important for the continued development of world rugby. We must take every opportunity to promote the sport and inform people that there is a good standard of rugby going on in many locations around the globe.”

While both teams have already secured places for rugby union’s showpiece tournament, which takes place in England next year, Saturday’s match will determine which pools the top two European qualifiers will play in.

After nine rounds of the FIRA-AER European Nations Cup Division 1A 2012-14 qualifying competition, the two teams are deadlocked on eight wins and one draw each. Romania has the slenderest of leads courtesy of a bonus point gained by comprehensively beating Belgium last weekend.

Victory on Saturday, or a draw with no bonus points, will assure Romania a place in Pool C as Europe 1 alongside defending World Cup champion New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and the African qualifier. The loser will qualify as Europe 2 and face France, Ireland, Italy and Canada in Pool D.