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Georgia deliver best performance of the autumn despite loss to stuttering Ireland

Kate Rowan
·25 min read
Ireland v Georgia, Autumn Nations Cup 2020: live score and latest updates from Dublin - GETTY IMAGES
Ireland v Georgia, Autumn Nations Cup 2020: live score and latest updates from Dublin - GETTY IMAGES

A penny for the water carrier’s thoughts. With his expression obscured behind a face mask, one has to wonder what injured Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton made of his side’s lacklustre win over Georgia. For a decade, Sexton has been the man to provide Ireland with their on-field edge and snarl and that was sorely missing, particularly in the second half.

One imagines Sexton’s assessment would echo that of head coach Andy Farrell, who simply replied “not good enough” when asked to sum up his team’s performance.

In the build-up, the Ireland selection had been described as “experimental” by the local media, with nine changes to the starting XV who lost 18-7 to England the previous week.

Farrell expanded: “Our game was flowing a little bit in the first half and we came out in the second half and I just don’t think we had the courage of our convictions. Georgia totally earned the right to slow our game down by being total menaces at the breakdown. All credit to them, but that is not good enough from us.

“They hunted us hard at the breakdown, when we punched hard on to a ball we went in really hard but sometimes our breakdown work wasn’t able to follow. It was a missed opportunity and a tale of two halves.”

However, Billy Burns’s first start at fly-half was one of the few positives for Ireland. The 26-year-old Gloucester academy product and former England Under-20 player had a definite spark – although tentative at times. But his early try and composed kicking from the tee should have been a positive for the Irish to build on, before he left the field with a groin injury after 45 minutes.

Farrell revealed that Burns felt a twinge in the warm-up, but was confident of playing and the coach thought he did a good job before he had to make way for Ross Byrne.

Another subplot in the build-up had been how it was an audition for Sexton’s permanent understudy. Burns’s audition was certainly more convincing than Byrne’s as Ireland lost direction, with the caveat that the Georgians had grown in confidence by the third quarter as the Irish wilted.

Burns’s life was made easier by having Ulster team-mate Stuart McCloskey, who had a try of his own ruled out for a forward pass, outside him. And Burns also benefited from his calm and composed half-back partner, Conor Murray.

It was apparent in the first half how much the Munster man brings to Ireland, in terms of directing the attack, and he was crucial in marshalling the phase play in the build-up to Burns’s try.

Ireland’s other try, after 33 minutes, came from Hugo Keenan – another new face brought in by Farrell this autumn.

Georgia earned the first points of their Autumn Nations Cup campaign, with an impressive solo try from outside centre Giorgi Kveseladze. Signifying the end of a barren spell for the Lelos, the moment of magic from Kveseladze caused raucous celebrations.

Georgia seemed to feed off this energy for the rest of the game and lock James Ryan, captaining Ireland again in place of Sexton, bemoaned how his side were unable to generate the same levels of enthusiasm.

“You definitely miss the fans in the stadium massively. It isn’t the same and I am not going to pretend that it is,” the 24-year-old said. “We spoke about creating our own energy and thriving off each other, but Georgia did that much better in the second half. You could hear how vocal they were and we probably went a bit quiet.”

With Ireland managing to score only a single penalty in a scrappy second half, Farrell wants a major improvement for their third-place play-off final against Scotland on Saturday.

“We need to be honest with ourselves this week. We have a six-day turnaround, so there is not going to be that much time to fix a few things. But we need to make sure there is a better performance next weekend,” he said.

“Scotland are a big threat. They are playing well, and are playing a nice brand of rugby. I am sure after watching that second half and having taken stock of what happened in the Six Nations, they will see this as an opportunity to hit back.”

Match details

Scoring sequence: 5-0 Burns try, 7-0 Burns con; 10-0 Burns pen; 10-5 Kveseladze try, 10-7 Abzhandadze con; 13-7 Burns pen; 18-7 Keenan try, 20-7 Burns pen; 20-10 Abzhandadze, 23-10 Byrne pen.

Ireland: J Stockdale, H Keenan, C Farrell, S McCloskey, K Earls (S Daly 62), B Burns (R Byrne 55), Conor Murray (K Marmion 56); F Bealham (C Healy 56), R Herring, A Porter (J Ryan 42), I Henderson, J Ryan (Q Roux 61), T Beirne (P O'Mahony 61), W Connors (D Heffernan 66), CJ Stander.
Georgia: S Matiashvili, A Tabutsadze, G Kveseladze, M Sharikadze (D Niniashvili 66), T Mchedlidze (D Tapladze), T Abzhandadze, V Lobzhanidze (M Alania 74); M Nariashvili (L Kaulashvili 56), S Mamukashvili (G Chkoidze 62), B Gigashvili (G Melikidze 70), N Cheishvili (G Javakhia 62), L Jaiani, B Saginadze, T Jalagonia, B Gorgadze (M Gachechiladze 62).
Referee: Mathieu Reynaud (France).

04:14 PM

Post-match stats

  • Ireland have now won all five of their clashes with Georgia, this was their second narrowest win and second lowest points total against them however (14-10 at 2007 RWC).

  • Ireland have won 20 of their last 21 home Test matches, including each of their last eight in a row, with their only defeat in that spell coming against England in February 2019 (20-32).

  • Ireland are unbeaten in their last 42 games against teams not currently regarded as Tier 1 (W41, D1), their last such defeat coming against Samoa in November 1996.

  • Ireland scored just three points in the second half of this game, just the second time in the professional era they have scored as few against a side that is not currently regarded as Tier 1 (also 3 v USA in 2013).

  • Hugo Keenan made his debut for Ireland earlier this year and has since scored three tries, he is Ireland’s top try scorer in 2020 with that haul.

  • Stuart McCloskey won his fourth cap for Ireland in this game, all four appearances have come in different years, 2016, 2017, 2018 and now 2020.

Opta 

04:12 PM

Positives for Ireland?

There are a few. In the first half, they looked strong and organised, with Billy Burns pulling strings behind a pack that was spearheaded by the industrious duo of Tadhg Beirne and Iain Henderson. The less said about the second half the better, however. The scoreline for the second 40 minutes was 3-3.

Georgia, however, can take positives into their probable match against Fiji next weekend. Although No 8 Beka Gorgadze - one of their pre-eminent players this autumn - was stretchered off, their centre partnership of Kveseladze and captain Sharikadze was phenomenal. Let's hope the latter passes his HIA.

Between them, the pair made 33 tackles - missing two - made 57 metres and beat four defenders. Kveseladze also scored a stunning try, too.

04:00 PM

Full-time: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Both teams give it another go after Georgia turn the ball over, but Stander is bundled into touch.

A good first half from Ireland, but a dire second one. Georgia put in their best performance on the autumn so far.

03:59 PM

80 mins: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

And Georgia win the holding-on penalty! Monumental defence from the visitors.

They don't kick it out, either - they want more...

03:57 PM

79 mins: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Stander motors forward from the back of a lineout - it's that peel again - but he is adjudged to have been held up.

Ireland have one final scrum to end on a high.

Iain Henderson is named the official man of the match, incidentally.

03:54 PM

77 mins: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Ireland look to finish on a high as McCloskey and Farrell punch it up in midfield on the edge of Georgia's 22.

Georgia, still battling irrepressibly, are penalised for offside, so Murray gives Ireland a lineout five metres out from the visitors' line.

03:51 PM

75 mins: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Georgia give it everything as ever, but they just fall down in the execution. This time they are held up by muscular Irish choke tackling, giving the hosts a scrum inside their own half.

It would have been a serious, serious finish if Georgia could have nicked a score there while on the attack.

03:49 PM

72 mins: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Stockdale knocks on in the air to give the Lelos the put-in to the scrum on their own 10-metre line.

They look to go wide, with impressive ambition, but the accuracy and cohesion isn't quite there as the ball sails into touch.

Ireland don't have long to make this second half seem a little more positive, but their attack comes crashing down as Henderson is penalised for off-feet.

Kveseladze put in a thumping hit on John Ryan during that passage, incidentally.

03:45 PM

68 mins: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Ireland rattle through the phases on the Ireland 22, with O'Mahony carrying fiercely.

They eventually go wide and Stockdale elects to kick with men outside. Daly, on for his Ireland debut, is in hot pursuit but there's too much on the kick and Georgia clear with a 22.

Even if it had been executed perfectly, kicking there felt all wrong. As it was, the execution was poor and it's an egregious waste.

03:40 PM

65 mins: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Georgia are harshly penalised in midfield as they seem to be within their rights to contest at the ruck.

Ireland progress up the field as the look to iron out this second-half attacking turgidity.

But Sharikadze wins a holding-on penalty for his team after a big hit on Connors dislodges the ball. The Georgian captain has had a phenomenal match today and he's being dragged off for a HIA by his staff and the referee.

03:34 PM

The stretcher is on

This looks quite serious for Gorgadze. It happened as he was stepping with the ball - not in contact - which is always a worrying sign.

A shame as he's been one of Georgia's standouts this autumn.

03:32 PM

63 mins: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Bryne tries a chip off first phase in the Georgian 22, but Connors is in front of the kicker and is penalised accordingly.

Georgia clear for a lineout inside the Georgia half and look to attack from it, but there's a serious-looking injury to Gorgadze, who screams in anguish, so the referee stops the game.

03:30 PM

61 mins: Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Byrne orchestrates another Irish attack, with Stockdale and Connors involved.

But Sharikadze disrupts well, knocking on in the process, giving Ireland a scrum on the Georgian 22-metre line.

03:26 PM

PEN BYRNE Ireland 23 Georgia 10

Byrne extends Ireland's lead to 13.

They have yet to miss a kick at goal in the ANC, no matter the kicker. Impressive.

03:25 PM

58 mins: Ireland 20 Georgia 10

Ireland put the bomb up as they disrupt Georgia's lineout ball, and their kick chase is superb as they win a holding-on penalty, with Mchedlidze guilty of holding on and rolling on the floor.

Byrne to have a shot at goal...

Healy and Marmion are on for Ireland, incidentally.

03:23 PM

56 mins: Ireland 20 Georgia 10

Ireland fly back at Georgia after the visitors win their lineout and clear, but there's a slight knock-on in the tackle which gives Ireland a scrum just inside the Lelos' 22.

But Georgia win a penalty from it (again). Has the ball actually come out of a scrum in this match? Seems every one has ended with a penalty or free-kick.

03:19 PM

52 mins: Ireland 20 Georgia 10

Ireland attack on halfway but Georgia are really building into this - they seem to have some belief and they are defending ferociously

Tabutsadze and Kveseladze hold up Stockdale and win the turnover for their team on halfway.

But Ireland make a mess of the Georgian scrum, this time, and they launch an attack that culminates with a Byrne grubber onto the Georgian five-metre line.

Another anxious lineout to come for them.

03:14 PM

PEN ABZHANDADZE Ireland 20 Georgia 10

A great strike, and we're back to a 10-point game.

03:14 PM

48 mins: Ireland 20 Georgia 7

Ireland win the scrum penalty this time - it's really tit for tat at the scrum - and clear to halfway.

They look to launch an attack but a superb tackle from Gorgadze gives Jalagonia and Sharikadze the chance to win a holding-on penalty, and they do

Abzhandadze to have a long-range shot at goal...

03:11 PM

46 mins: Ireland 20 Georgia 7

The visitors win the lineout, but Gorgadze is held up by Murray close to the maul and Ireland win the turnover, putting into a scrum deep in their own half.

Byrne is on for Burns, too, who has played well.

03:09 PM

44 mins: Ireland 20 Georgia 7

Monstrous scrum from Georgia marmelises Ireland and, although Lobzhanidze shows intent to attack, there's no advantage for the Lelos.

Abzhandadze with a good touch-finder to give his side a lineout inside the Ireland 22.

But can they win the lineout?

03:07 PM

42 mins: Ireland 20 Georgia 7

Flashy first-phase move from Ireland but it's a touch lateral and Georgia defend it well in the wide channels.

Ryan's pass to Stander on the next phase is forward, too; a minor win for Georgia who will put into a scrum of their own.

03:05 PM

Back underway in Dublin

No changes to either side.

Georgia knock on early and Ireland will have the first scrum of the second half on halfway.

03:05 PM

Some half-time stats

Eleven tackles made and zero missed for Georgia centre Sharikadze in that half.

Two clean breaks for Keenan, too.

02:59 PM

Ireland's two tries

(Scroll down for footage of Georgia's pip)

02:52 PM

Good half for both teams really

Georgia will be happy to have scored finally, for the first time this autumn, especially in the elegant style in which they did.

Despite only taking a 13-point lead into half-time, Ireland have looked good, too. Their lineout woes have been vanquished, and their scrum has been solid, too.

They have been held up over the Georgia line twice, and had one glorious score ruled out for a marginal forward pass.

I can see the hosts running away with it in the second half, but I can also see Georgia pinching a few more points, too.

02:50 PM

Half-time: Ireland 20 Georgia 7

Stander peels round the back of the lineout and charges ferociously at Georgia as Ireland get to within a couple of metres.

Ryan gets over the line, but referee Raynal thinks it's held up. Ryan pleads with him to check upstairs, but he calls for half-time.

02:49 PM

40 mins: Ireland 20 Georgia 7

And Ireland win the penalty from the scrum, with Mamukashvili - now back on - adjudged to have collapsed.

Burns punts into the Georgia 22, and Ireland will have one last go from the lineout before half-time.

02:48 PM

NO TRY Ireland 20 Georgia 7

Both referee and TMO think the pass is forward.

It's very tight. Was it forward? Perhaps. Was it 'clear and obvious'? Not so sure...

Georgia will have a scrum on halfway, in what should be the last play of the half.

02:45 PM

TRY MCCLOSKEY Ireland 25 Georgia 7

It's another cracking try, but this time it's for Ireland and, specifically, centre McCloskey.

Ireland's attack is incisive and well organised. Burns feeds Stockdale, with the Ireland full-back flinging a gorgeous long ball to McCloskey out wide, who streaks up the wing to finish in the corner.

Hang on - they're checking Stockdale's pass. Looks close...

02:44 PM

38 mins: Ireland 20 Georgia 7

Ireland clear downfield from the restart before Georgia reply in kind.

Murray elegantly defuses a Georgian box-kick bomb, but Porter is pinged for holding back Jalagonia.

Georgia kick to the Irish 22 and will throw into the lineout, but they cannot win their own ball, Beirne diving on the loose ball and Ireland clear.

02:41 PM

CON BURNS Ireland 20 Georgia 7

More of a test for Burns, this one, and he passes it with flying colours.

Ireland extend their lead with five minutes left of the first half.

02:40 PM

TRY KEENAN Ireland 18 Georgia 7

But Georgia cannot keep Ireland out, as after some patient, driving build-up play - with Henderson prominent in the carry - the hosts ship the ball wide and Keenan goes over once to score wide right.

The final pass looked a bit iffy - but it's not being checked...

02:39 PM

33 mins: Ireland 13 Georgia 7

Yep, the held-up call remains, so Ireland put into another five-metre scrum.

Georgia have held firm thus far; what a fillip it would be for them if they could hold out indefinitely as half-time looms.

02:37 PM

33 mins: Ireland 13 Georgia 7

Ireland get the ball over the line after that maul gathers steam - it looks to be in the mitts of Ryan or Herring - but referee Raynal reckons it's held up.

He seems fairly sure, but we are checking this upstairs.

02:35 PM

32 mins: Ireland 13 Georgia 7

Ireland win a scrum penalty and elect to put the ball in the corner.

Here comes the maul...

02:34 PM

31 mins: Ireland 13 Georgia 7

A delightful kick from McCloskey ends a stunning exit for a Ireland. He puts it into touch on the Georgia five-metre line, giving the visitors a nervy lineout.

And Mamukashvili cannot execute - his throw is not straight and Ireland will put into a dangerous five-metre scrum.

02:32 PM

29 mins: Ireland 13 Georgia 7

Abzhandadze tries a cross-field kick - has he been watching England? - to try and find Mchedlidze, but there's two metres too much on it and Georgia's good field position is wasted.

Ireland clear from the lineout, win the ball back in the air, and off they go again on halfway through Stockdale.

02:30 PM

27 mins: Ireland 13 Georgia 7

Georgia win a dubious-looking scrum penalty on halfway, with Porter adjudged to have walked round the scrum.

Abzhandadze gives his side a lineout inside the Irish 22.

02:28 PM

That Georgia try

02:27 PM

PEN BURNS Ireland 13 Georgia 7

Another easy shot at the sticks for Burns, and Ireland extend their lead once again.

02:27 PM

22 mins: Ireland 10 Georgia 7

A well constructed Ireland attack gives Burns another chance to extend their lead.

Hand on the floor from openside Jalagonia

02:24 PM

20 mins: Ireland 10 Georgia 7

Gorgeous, balanced run from Stockdale sees him break the line on the counter-attack. He elects to chip for himself and Earls to chase, but Lobzhanidze gets across the touch the ball down in goal.

02:22 PM

CON ABZHANDADZE Ireland 10 Georgia 7

We have a three-point game!

02:20 PM

TRY KVESELADZE Ireland 10 Georgia 5

Kveseladze has scored an absolute peach here for Georgia - what a way to score their first points of the Autumn Nations Cup.

The centre collects the ball on halfway from an inside pass and he breaks clear. He keeps the ball in two hands, and bamboozles Burns and Stockdale before McCloskey gets to him as he slides under the posts.

A fantastic score; and Georgia rightly go berserk.

02:19 PM

16 mins: Ireland 10 Georgia 0

Abzhandadze with a fantastic restart that results in the Georgian defence catching Stander man-and-ball, winning a lineout for their team.

The visitors build a decent enough attack, but the kick execution at the end of it is a poor one and Ireland will have the 22.

02:17 PM

PEN BURNS Ireland 10 Georgia 0

A bit further out than his conversion attempt, but it was fairly straight once again for Burns, and he won't miss those.

02:17 PM

12 mins: Ireland 7 Georgia 0

Chkoidze is on for veteran Nariashvili at prop for Georgia, a change which coincides with Ireland winning a scrum penalty.

Ireland attack from the top of their lineout on the Georgia 22 but the visitors' indiscipline means they cannot build any momentum.

They will, however, have the chance to further their lead, as Burns lines up a shot at goal from that Georgian offence.

02:15 PM

CON BURNS Ireland 7 Georgia 0

Easy as you like for Burns under the sticks; a seven-pointer for him and his team.

02:14 PM

TRY BURNS Ireland 5 Georgia 0

Ireland come away with possession and McCloskey, followed by Stander, cause Georgia serious problems in the carry.

Earls is in space five metres out, but great scramble defence from Georgia stops the Munsterman short.

Eventually, however, Burns gets over after some neat Irish handling. Looked like he might have knocked on over the line but the score stands.

It's his first international try, too.

02:11 PM

8 mins: Ireland 0 Georgia 0

Ireland put boot to ball once again and, although initially Georgia secure possession, a great turnover from Beirne gives his side dangerous attacking ball.

But it's all a bit lateral, and Georgia defend well in the wide channels and will throw into a lineout on their own 22.

02:08 PM

6 mins: Ireland 0 Georgia 0

An early penalty at the scrum for Georgia as Bealham - who has not started a match at loosehead for his club for three years - is pinged for collapsing.

But Georgia, criminally, miss touch with the penalty clearance and back come Ireland from halfway.

02:06 PM

4 mins: Ireland 0 Georgia 0

Mamukashvili is pinged for off feet at a ruck on halfway, and Burns gives his side a lineout inside the Georgia 22.

McCloskey knocks on during a powerful carry, however, so Georgia will put into the first scrum of the match, in their own 22.

02:05 PM

2 mins: Ireland 0 Georgia 0

Ireland with some early possession as they look to attack from halfway, with Stockdale prominent early on.

Burns puts a nice chip over the top before Farrell dinks a grubber through that Lobzhanidze has to clear up in-goal.

02:02 PM

Kick-off

Referee Mathieu Raynal gets us underway as Ireland - in a navy change strip - kick off.

01:58 PM

The teams are out

And the anthems are taking place.

Kick-off is next!

01:55 PM

Conor Murray warms up in Dublin

How much pressure is he under today? Considering the opposition, probably not as much as he might be, but with his slump in form and the rise of Jamison Gibson-Park, he really could do with a strong outing.

Murray has been recalled following two consecutive appearances from the bench.

Conor Murray warming up - GETTY IMAGES

01:49 PM

May I just say...

In the live picture of the Aviva Stadium at the top of the page, how resplendent it is looking today.

In England, I'm looking out my window to grey, dank fog - and there was a Baltic breeze earlier, too.

Humph.

01:40 PM

Pre-match reading

Billy Burns backed to step out of Johnny Sexton's shadow in Ireland-Georgia clash, writes Kate Rowan.

The 26-year-old fly-half, who represented England at Under-20 level and is the younger brother of former England No 10 Freddie, impressed the Irish coaching staff with how he marshalled the squad during training.

You can read more by clicking here.

Billy Burns - GETTY IMAGES

01:30 PM

Team news

Ireland hand a full debut to fly-half Billy Burns as part of an experimental line-up.

Burns, who came off the bench in the win over Wales and subsequent defeat to England, is among nine changes to head coach Andy Farrell's starting XV.

The former England Under-20 international replaces Ross Byrne and will line up behind experienced scrum-half Conor Murray, who has been recalled following two consecutive appearances from the bench.

Centre Stuart McCloskey will make his first international appearance in two years to win his fourth cap, while Australia-born prop Finlay Bealham has been handed a rare opportunity to impress from the start.

Ireland starting XV: J Stockdale; K Earls, C Farrell, S McCloskey, H Keenan; B Burns, C Murray; F Bealham, R Herring, A Porter, I Henderson, Ja Ryan (capt), T Beirne, W Connors, CJ Stander.
Replacements: D Heffernan, C Healy, Jo Ryan, Q Roux, P O'Mahony, K Marmion, R Byrne, S Daly.

Soso Matiashvili returns at full-back as one of six changes for struggling Georgia ahead of their final Autumn Nations Cup Group A game against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

Coach Levan Maisashvili has also changed four members of the forward pack, with Shalva Mamukashvili coming in at hooker between props Mikheil Nariashvili and Beka Gigashvili.

There is an all-new second row as Nodar Cheishvili returns from injury to start alongside Lasha Jaiani, with Kote Mikautadze failing to recover from a rib injury sustained against Wales.

Georgia starting XV: S Matiashvili, A Tabutsadze, G Kveseladze, M Sharikadze (capt), T Mchedlidze, T Abzhandadze, V Lobzhanidze; M Nariashvili. S Mamukashvili, B Gigashvili, ​​N Cheishvili, ​L Jaiani, ​B Saginadze,​T Jalagonia, ​B Gorgadze.
Replacements: G Chkoidze, L Kaulashvili, G Melikidze, G Javakhia, M Gachechiladze, M Alania, D Tapladze, D Niniashvili.

01:19 PM

Good afternoon everyone!

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of the final Autumn Nations Cup group game, between Ireland and Georgia at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

Unless something truly extraordinary happens on the Irish east coast today, Ireland have already sewn up second place in Group A behind England, meaning Andy Farrell's men will compete in the second-place final next Saturday, against Scotland. Only a bonus-point win for Georgia, with Ireland leaving point-less, would see that change,

Ireland go into the game searching for a response to a disappointing fourth successive loss to rivals England. Set-piece errors undermined the quest for glory at Twickenham as Eddie Jones' World Cup finalists cruised to victory. Lineout calls and binding at the scrum have been worked on significantly in the build up to the game. Head coach Andy Farrell will be eager to see considerable improvements in those areas against physical opponents.

Ireland's form has been patchy since Farrell took over from Joe Schmidt after last year's World Cup. The Englishman, who has lost three of his opening seven games, has named an experimental line-up for this weekend's Test, making nine changes to the team which started in London. Farrell is desperate to expand the player pool at his disposal and gain "priceless experience" within it. With transition comes setbacks, and Farrell has warned the Irish public may have to remain patient and continue to endure some "growing pains".

With veteran fly-half Johnny Sexton in the twilight of his career and currently injured, coach Farrell is particularly desperate for options for the No 10 jersey. Billy Burns has been given the nod this weekend on what will be his full debut and been challenged by Farrell to "run the show". Burns will be eager to build on his impressive Twickenham cameo and push himself ahead of rival Ross Byrne in the battle to become Sexton's long-term successor.

The raft of personnel changes has also afforded a fresh chance for Stuart McCloskey. Ulster centre McCloskey has been patiently awaiting an opportunity since winning the last of his three previous caps more than two years ago. While the 28-year-old is understandably keen to make up for lost time and stake a claim for a regular midfield spot, Farrell has urged him not to be "too desperate" to impress.

Georgia will run out at the Aviva Stadium having so far failed to register a point in the competition. A 40-0 thumping against England was followed by an 18-0 defeat to Wales. The Lelos have also lost each of their four previous clashes with Ireland, most recently 49-7 in November 2014. Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze has called on his team to be less wasteful with their opportunities as they bid to spring a surprise.

PA