Georgia head coach Levan Maisashvili has made six changes to his starting XV ahead the Lelos’ final Autumn Nations Cup group match against Ireland on Sunday.
The Georgians head to Dublin looking to end the group stage on a high, after failing to score in either of their opening two matches in the competition, having been shut out by both England and Wales so far.
There are two changes in the backs from the 18-0 defeat to Wales last time out, with Soso Matiashvili recovering from injury to return at full-back, while Tamaz Mchedlidze makes his first start of the competition on the wing.
It will once again be the half-back pairing of Vasil Lobzhanidze and Tedo Abzhandadze for the clash at the Aviva Stadium, with the duo starting to form a solid partnership at nine and ten.
Captain Merab Sharikadze and Giorgi Kveseladze will once again line up in the midfield, while Akaki Tabutsadze continues on the right wing against Wayne Pivac’s side.
There are further four changes in the forwards after the defeat in Llanelli last week, with Shalva Mamukashvili among those to be recalled at hooker.
It is a new-look second row for the Lelos this weekend, as Nodar Cheishvili returns from injury to partner Lasha Jaiani, with Kote Mikautadze dropping out after the rib injury he suffered last time out.
Flanker Tornike Jalagonia is Maisashvili’s final change for the trip to Dublin, with the Biarritz man partnering Beka Saginadze in the back row, alongside Beka Gorgadze at No. 8.
Mikheil Nariashvili and Beka Gigashvili will start their third consecutive match as props, while scrum-half Mikheil Alania and 18-year-old full-back David Niniashvili could make their international debuts from the bench.
Georgia team to face Ireland
15. Soso Matiashvili (28 caps)
14. Akaki Tabutsadze (5 caps)
13. Giorgi Kveseladze (27 caps)
12. Merab Sharikadze (69 caps) – Captain
11. Tamaz Mchedlidze (59 caps)
10. Tedo Abzhandadze (18 caps)
9. Vasil Lobzhanidze (54 caps)
1. Mikheil Nariashvili (64 caps)
2. Shalva Mamukashvili (76 caps)
3. Beka Gigashvili(16 caps)
4. Nodar Cheishvili (26 caps)
5. Lasha Jaiani (4 caps)
6. Beka Saginadze (15 caps)
7. Tornike Jalagonia (2 caps)
8. Beka Gorgadze (30 caps)
Replacements
16. Giorgi Chkoidze (12 caps)
17. Lexo Kaulashvili (3 caps)
18. Giorgi Melikidze (20 caps)
19. Giorgi Javakhia (3 caps)
20. Mikheil Gachechiladze (10 caps)
21. Mikheil Alania (uncapped)
22. Demur Tapladze (4 caps)
23. David Niniashvili (uncapped)
