Georgia have plenty on their mind - including Ireland's scalp

The Georgians are ranked 11th in the world and a targeting a quarter-final in Australia in 2027.

Ireland head coach Paul O'Connell with Cormac Izuchukwu and Craig Casey during the captain's run at Mikheil Meshki Stadium in Tbilisi on Friday. Picture: Ben Brady/Inpho

Georgia head coach Richard Cockerill accepts his side may "get their asses handed to them" in Tbilisi on Saturday evening — but given where they are and what they are targeting in terms of the next World Cup, it will be some surprise if Paul O'Connell's Ireland aren't put to the pin of their collar at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium (kick-off 6pm Irish time).

O'Connell's side features only two debutants — Tommy O'Brien and Darragh Murray — and the Ireland party will be braced for the tougher of their two summer Tests,  in Lisbon against Portugal next Saturday.