Preview: Ireland v Georgia

Loose forward Dominic Ryan and second row Dave Foley are set to make their first international appearances for Ireland.

 

Robin Copeland could also win his first cap off the bench on Sunday.

 

Eoin Reddan will become the 103rd captain of Ireland when he leads the team out on his 57th cap.

 

An all action back-three features Felix Jones, Simon Zebo and Craig Gilroy with Gordon D'Arcy and Darren Cave partnered in the centre. 

 

Ian Madigan is selected at flyhalf to play alongside his provincial club partner Reddan.

 

In the pack, Mike Ross is retained at tighthead and is joined in the front row by Richardt Strauss and Dave Kilcoyne. 

 

The second row is made up of debutante Foley and Mike McCarthy while the backrow sees new cap Ryan at No.6 Tommy O'Donnell at No.7 and Robbie Diack at No.8.

 

There is experience on the bench in the form of Devin Toner and Sean Cronin while Rodney Ah You and Jack McGrath may get another opportunity to impress.

 

Copeland is an exciting uncapped addition to the bench while Kieran Marmion, Ian Keatley and Stuart Olding will all be looking to make an impact on the game.

 

 

For Ireland: the return of veteran Gordon D'Arcy in the midfield should stabilize things for the reshuffled Irish. Meanwhile, South African born hooker Richardt Strauss should add some grunt in the forwards

 

For Georgia: Irakli Machkhaneli is both the captain and the lifeblood of the Georgian team, having made his debut in 2002 against the Netherlands.

 

Head to head: The Georgians are renowned for their toughness, especially in the front row and although the likes of Jack McGrath were outstanding in the loose, they suffered a bit under the Bok scrum.

 

2007: Ireland won 14-10 in Bordeaux (World Cup pool match)

2002: Ireland won 63-14 in Dublin

1998: Ireland won 70-0 in Dublin

 

Prediction: It may be a bit of a thrown-together Irish team, but there is still plenty of class in their ranks. Expect them to take Georgia to the cleaners by 2-+ points.

 

 

Ireland: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan (captain), 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Dominic Ryan, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Dave Foley, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Robin Copeland, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Stuart Olding.

 

Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13 David Kacharava , 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Sandro Todua, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 9 Giorgi Begadze, 8 Dimitri Basilaia, 7 Vito Kolelishvili, 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 5 Giorgi Nemsadze, 4 Kote Mikautadze, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.

Replacements: 16 Simon Maisuradze, 17 Zurab Zhvania, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Levan Datunashvili, 20 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 21 Vazha Khutsishvili, 22 Lasha Malaguradze, 23 Muraz Giorgadze.

 

Date: Sunday, November 16

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Kick-off: 14:30(14.30 GMT)

Referee: JP Doyle (England)

Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (England), Federico Anselmi (Argentina) 

TMO: Jim Yuille (Scotland)