Georgia 24-25 Wales: 13-man Wales beat hosts in rugby's Junior World Championship opener

Wales claimed a dramatic 25-24 victory over hosts Georgia in their opening match of the Junior World Championship, holding out with 13 players despite a desperate late assault from the home side.

Wales took control early through tries from flanker Caio James in the fifth minute and Cardiff wing Rhys Cummings in the 16th, with fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones converting to establish a commanding lead. Leggatt-Jones finished with 15 points from the tee.

Georgia hit back through powerful number eight Mikheil Shioshvili, who scored twice, first from a driving line-out on 20 minutes before crossing again just before half-time to reduce Wales' lead to 15-12 at the break.

The second half saw Wales extend their advantage when Leggatt-Jones crossed in the 52nd minute after centre Steffan Emmanuel went close. Wales led 25-17 with just five minutes remaining in Tbilisi.

However, Wales' discipline unravelled at crucial moments. Wing Tom Bowen received a second yellow card for repeated team offending, and replacement prop Yestyn Cook was sin-binned after Georgia were awarded a penalty try, reducing the deficit to one point and leaving Wales with 13 players.

Georgia piled on pressure in the closing moments, with replacement back-rower Irakli Kolbaia appearing to have scored the match-winning try when he carried the ball over the line from ten metres out. However, referee George Selwood ruled that Kolbaia had been held up, denying Georgia victory.

Wales showed remarkable determination to secure the win ahead of pool games against Uruguay and South Africa. Despite appearing to have secured victory earlier, replacement hooker Tom Howe was also held up over the line when Wales were clear at 25-17.

The victory demonstrated resilience under pressure for Richard Whiffen's young squad, though their discipline issues will concern coaches ahead of their next fixture.