Ireland under pressure to perform against Georgians

Ireland emerged for their hazardous World Cup clash with Georgia under immense pressure to justify coach Eddie O’Sullivan’s loyalty.

The Irish secured a crucial bonus point with their 32-17 victory over Namibia but it was a shambolic tournament opener that dented their confidence.

Refusing to swing the axe, O’Sullivan gave the same side the opportunity to atone for their Bordeaux horror-show in a selection he described as a “vote of confidence”.

Leinster winger Shane Horgan – fit after spending the last month sidelined with a knee injury – was the only new face, replacing Andrew Trimble who had been ruled out with a fractured finger.

Failure to nudge Ireland’s World Cup group campaign back on track – with Friday’s crunch against France looming next Friday – would leave O’Sullivan with little choice but to initiate a cull.

Georgia were something of an unknown quantity after making 11 changes to the team that went down fighting 33-3 to Argentina on Tuesday.

Auch second row Ila Zedginidze remained as captain, one of four tight-five forwards who play their club rugby in the French first division.

Ireland: Dempsey, Horgan, O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Hickie, O’Gara, Stringer, Horan, R. Best, Hayes, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Easterby, D. Wallace, Leamy.

Replacements: Flannery, S. Best, O’Kelly, N. Best, Boss, P. Wallace, Murphy.

Georgia: Barkalaia, Shkinin, Urjukashvili, Kacharava, Elizbarashvili, Kvirikashvili, Samkharadze, Magrakvelidze, Shvelidze, Kopaliana, Zedquinidze, Gorgodze, I. Maisuradze, Urushadze, Chkhaidze.

Replacements: A. Guiorgadze, Khinchagishvili, Datunashvili, Z. Maisuradze, Abusseridze, Machkhaneli, Eloshvili.

Referee: W Barnes (RFU)