Today Mikheil Saakashvili  received the members of National Rugby Union in the presidential palace. At the meeting arranged before their arrival for the World Cup preparatory gathering, the President wished success to the athletes and expressed his support. Together with future plans, the President recalled the successes of recent years . He expressed hope that Georgian rugby players will contest with similar success in the World Cup, which will be held in New Zealand  in September.

"In recent years, Georgian people have always been in difficulties in collective sports. Individually, all are strong, but when it comes to collective sports when they must support each other and play in agreement, as a rule, the problem arises.  We had difficulties at state-level and at sport- level. You are the first and most far-reaching collective team in Georgia. Forgive me but even in your case there is still much work to do, because despite the fact that the individual elements are strong enough, team elements should also strengthen even more, as well as in the rest of Georgia. This is my advice. You know better than I that you are an example for many children, many dreams to pass your way. Many of you are the best players of the world's best leagues. This is something to be proud of indeed.  Now we received a letter from the president of the International Rugby Board (I personally received the letter this morning), who wrote in a very interesting way. He expressed his gratitude for the very good competition in Tbilisi - we all saw it. The letter also says: We are confident that the team will establish its place in the top ten teams of the world rugby. Of course, this is a very high place - a completely different league. Millions, tens and hundreds of million people are watching  this league around the world. They are promising all sorts of support and require form our state to fulfill all obligations. In response to this letter and for you I want to say, that we are all committed to fulfill all our obligations in correspondence with rugby teams, with schools, with the program of  funding and  before 2016  with the program, as well as the prize-money for the coming championship in New Zealand.  I will never forget Georgia-France's match in Marseilles, which I attended together with President Sarkozy. Even that time I was proud of this league. I often think, and I'm sorry for  what if  we tried to make new tries with Ireland. Then our fate would be different and we would have solid place in this league, of which we are just talking. But every new game is waiting, try is in front of you and I am sure that Georgia will win again and again. Guys, the only thing I would like to tell you is to thank you for being such enthusiastic here. All of us are your fans ", -the  President stated.

On their part, the players also expressed their gratitude to the President and marked that  the president's support fills  them  with extra  stimulus to progress in the World Cup . Theye also  gifted the shirts of National Unions  to Mikheil Saakashvili.