Vito Kolelishvili to take charge of Georgia’s U-20 national team
From 1 January 2026 veteran Borzhgalosan Vito Kolelishvili will take charge of the Georgian U-20 national team. Vito will replace Lado Kilasonia as head coach, under whose leadership the team achieved its highest ever placing in 2023 (8th place), and in 2024 and 2025 they achieved 9th place.
Vito Kolelishvili is well known to Georgian rugby fans. An athlete with an outstanding physique and data, he played rugby for Tbilisi’s ‘Lelo’, became the champion of Georgia and the best player of the Georgian championship. He continued his career at Clermont, one of the best teams in the Top 14, and became the French Esporte (double-team) champion twice, winning the Top 14 and the Challenge Cup once each. Vito spent a year on loan at Lyon, then playing in Pro De2, and helped the team rise to among the strongest by winning the division.
Kolelishvili has played for all age groups of Georgia. In total he has 50 caps and has scored five tries. He has participated in two World Cups (2011 and 2015). Due to frequent head injuries Kolelishvili had to end his playing career early, but he remained in rugby, took coaching courses in France and worked first as an assistant coach (Espoirs) at Clermont, and then as the head coach of the Krabos.
From 1 January 2026 he will become the head coach of the Georgian U-20 team. “I am very happy to have the opportunity to lead the Georgian U-20 team, and at such a responsible time. As you know, Georgia is hosting the 2026 Rugby World Cup U-20, and we will have to perform in front of our own fans, which is a great honour and responsibility,” said Vito Kolelishvili.