Levan Maisashvili has named his Georgia team to face France on Sunday.
The matchday squad contains 16 foreign-based players, including one from England, one from Russia and 14 from France – with ten of those plying their trade in the Top 14.
Beka Gorgadze and Grigor Kerdikoshvili have both recovered from injuries and rejoin the squad after a one-year break while Giorgi Tsutskiridze will play for the Lelos for the first time since February.
Maisashvili said: “We have an optimal composition for this stage. Good news is that Beka Gorgadze, Grigor Kerdikoshvili and Giorgi Tsutskiridze came back from injury.
“Lasha Jaiani is also back from the injury and is in shape. Mikheil Nariashvili has a small injury, which will probably be recovered for the match against Fiji.
“I am sure that the substitutions will give us a lot of strength during the match.”
France make six changes for Georgia
Gorgadze added: “We are all looking forward to this historic game. This generation of the French national team shines in modern rugby and in terms of the quality and results of their game, at the 2023 World Cup in France, the hosts are one of the favourites.
“On the other hand, this is the generation against which we have played many times in the U20 team. In addition, these guys are our teammates in the Top 14.
“We know their style of play very good. This is a kind of stimulus for us because we know that there are many things we can do to resist them. First minutes of the kick-off will be important.
“If the French oppress you in the first minutes, then the course of the game changes completely, so we have to be aggressive from the beginning.”
Georgia: 15. David Niniashvili, 14. Akaki Tabutsadze, 13. Giorgi Kveseladze, 12. Merab Sharikadze, 11. Alexandre Todua, 10. Tedo Abzhandadze, 9. Vasil Lobzhanidze; 1. Beka Gigashvili, 2. Shalva Mamukashvili, 3. Giorgi Melikidze, 4. Grigor Kerdikoshvili, 5. Kote Mikautadze, 6. Beka Saginadze, 7. Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 8. Beka Gorgadze
Replacements: 16. Giorgi Chkoidze, 17. Guram Gogichashvili, 18. Luka Japaridze, 19. Nodar Cheishvili, 20. Tornike Jalagonia, 21. Mikheil Alania, 22. Lasha Khmaladze, 23. Demur Tapladze
France: 15. Melvyn Jaminet, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gaël Fickou, 12. Romain Ntamack, 11. Matthis Lebel, 10. Matthieu Jalibert, 9. Antoine Dupont (c), 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Cameron Woki, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Anthony Jelonch, 7. Sekou Macalou, 8. Grégory Alldritt
Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Demba Bamba, 19. Thibaud Flament 20. Paul Willemse, 21. François Cros, 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Jonathan Danty
