This away win could well mean that Georgia will - not for the first time - wrest the European Nations Cup from Romania. It is played over two legs and the second leg, next year, between the two rivals will be in Tblissi.

Georgia, who had assembled in Bucharest on Monday, had led 13-6 at half-time, and 20-9 early in the second half, till the Romanians fought back.

The scorers:

For Romania:
Try: Petre
DG: Tofan
Pens: Vlaicu 3

For Georgia:
Tries: Guiorgadze, Udessiani
Cons: Kvirikashvili 2
Pens: Kvirikashvili 2

The teams:

Georgia: 15 Paliko Jimsheladze, 14 Gosha Shkinini, 13 Rezo Guigauri, 12 Irakli Guiorgadze, 11 Irakli Machkaneli, 10 Meko Kvirikashvili, 9 Irakli Abusseridze, 8 Besso Udessiani, 7 Mamuka Magrakvelidze, 6 Ilia Maissuradze, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Ilia Zedguinidze (captain), 3 David Zirakashvili, 2 Akvsent Guiorgadze, 1 David Khinchaguishvili.
Replacements: 16 Avtandil Kopaliani, 17 David Gasviani, 18 Victor Didebulidze, 19 George Chkhaidze, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 David Katcharava, 22 George Elizbarashvili.

Romania: 15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 Catalin Fercu, 13 Gabriel Brezoianu, 12 Romeo Gontineac, 11 Cristian Sauan, 10 Ionut Tofan, 9 Lucian Sarbu, 8 Costica Mersoiu, 7 Mihai Macovei, 6 Florin Corodeanu, 5 Cristian Petre, 4 Sorin Socol, 3 Petrisor Toderasc, 2 Marius Tincu, 1 Petru Balan.
Replacements: 16 Cezar Popescu, 17 Razvan Mavrodin, 18 Ion Paulica, 19 Valentin Ursache, 20 Valentin Calafateanu, 21 Csaba Gal, 22 Iulian Dumitras.

Referee: Colin Stanley (Ireland)
Touch judges: Alan Rogan (Ireland), David Wilkinson (Ireland)