COACH Louie Tonkin was full of praise for the character of his Crawshays WRU President's XV after they completed the double over Emerging Georgia.

A try from the last play of the game by Llandovery back row forward Shaun Miles, converted by Newbridge fly-half Kieran Meek, secured a 14-9 victory at Rustavi Stadium last weekend.

The tourists had led 7-6 at the break courtesy a score by Llanelli's Justin James that was converted by Ebbw Vale's Dai Langdon before digging deep to back up a 24-17 success in the first encounter.

"The whole tour was a fantastic experience – it was the best group I have worked with and the squad showed great character on and off the pitch," said Tonkin, who has left Carmarthen Quins to take over at Pontypool.

"To their credit, the Georgian side were much more than we expected. They played a really good brand of rugby. They were very physical in the collisions which we expected but their backs were a revelation.

"But the boys stuck to their task and leadership by key players like Rhys Shellard, Gavin Dacey and Damien Hudd was crucial as the boys pulled through.

"I have no doubt the tour has made all those involved better players and it proved a great initiative between Crawshays and the WRU."