Georgia 12 Emerging Ireland 45: Billy Holland had to discard his crutches to lift the trophy at Avchala Stadium after succumbing to a captain’s curse in Tbilisi.

Emerging Ireland 33 Uruguay 7: Rhys Ruddock’s hopes of taking part in the World Cup rest upon the results of an x-ray after damaging his right arm just two months after surgery.

Irish rugby stars admit they were “shocked” after being caught up in deadly floods in Tbilisi that have left at least 15 people dead and wild animals on the loose.

Tbilisi Cup

Tbilisi could prove the unlikely stepping stone for several players aiming to play their way into Joe Schmidt’s World Cup plans.