Georgia confirm new head coach after Richard Cockerill sacking

Cockerill’s departure came in the aftermath of a humiliating 52–0 defeat for Georgian franchise Black Lion away to Irish opposition in the Challenge Cup, a result that proved the final straw for the former Leicester Tigers boss.

Broncan will formally take charge after the conclusion of the current Pro D2 season, as he remains under contract with CA Brive for the next five months. In the interim, former Sale Sharks head coach Marco Bortolami will act as Georgia’s head coach until June, before continuing with the national side as forwards coach under Broncan.

Georgia’s new era will begin in earnest amid growing competition in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship, where the reigning champions face a serious challenge from Spain. The Lelos begin their campaign on February 8, with expectations high that Broncan’s appointment can provide both stability and progression.

A former scrum-half who enjoyed a playing career spanning more than 15 years, Broncan transitioned into coaching with Blagnac in 2006. He went on to manage several Pro D2 sides before joining Stade Toulousain as defence coach from 2015 to 2018.

He later moved to Bath Rugby under head coach Todd Blackadder, where he was tasked with scouting new talent in England and abroad. His appointment was aided by Bath owner Bruce Craig, a long-time friend and French speaker.

In 2020, Broncan replaced Mauricio Reggiardo at Castres and oversaw one of the club’s most successful modern campaigns. During the 2021–22 season, Castres finished top of the Top 14 regular-season table for the first time in the competition’s history, earning direct qualification to the semi-finals.

Unbeaten at home throughout the campaign, they eliminated defending champions Stade Toulousain in Nice before falling to Montpellier in the final at the Stade de France.

Following his departure from Castres, Broncan joined Eddie Jones’ coaching staff with Australia ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. However, the campaign ended in disappointment, with the Wallabies failing to progress beyond the pool stage for the first time in their history.

He then accepted the challenge of rebuilding CA Brive after their relegation to Pro D2, although promotion back to the Top 14 has so far eluded the historic club.

Despite those mixed results, Broncan arrives in Tbilisi with a reputation as a well-travelled and highly experienced coach. His deep understanding of French rugby is seen as a particular asset for a Georgian side whose players are overwhelmingly based in the French system.

His appointment is also historically significant. Broncan becomes the first French head coach of Georgia since Claude Saurel, who led the Lelos between 1997 and 2003 and is widely credited with laying the foundations for the country’s modern success. Saurel, who initially worked with Georgia’s sevens team before taking over the national side in 1999, oversaw rapid development.

Under his guidance, Georgia finished second in the 2000 European Nations Cup, won all five matches to claim the title in 2001, and went on to qualify for their first Rugby World Cup. At the 2003 tournament, they faced South Africa, England, Samoa and Uruguay, delivering competitive performances despite heavy defeats to the game’s elite.

Saurel’s legacy is still visible today in the strong links between Georgian rugby and France, where so many Lelos now ply their trade. For that reason, the return to a French head coach is widely viewed as strategically important. If the success of Saurel’s tenure is any indication, Broncan’s appointment could prove to be a winning formula.

However, the new coach will inherit not only a competitive team but also a political debate surrounding Georgian rugby. Cockerill was outspoken in his calls for Georgia to be included in the Six Nations, using his profile in the Anglophone media to generate significant attention around the issue. Broncan, while respected, may not be able to command the same volume of international headlines on that front.

What he does bring, though, is technical pedigree and extensive experience across elite club and international environments. With his tactical background and intimate knowledge of French rugby structures, many believe he has the tools to build on Georgia’s recent dominance in the Rugby Europe Championship and guide the Lelos toward their long-term ambitions.