Autumn Internationals: Ireland v Georgia preview
Last Updated: 16/11/14 1:54pm
After inflicting a heavy defeat on South Africa last weekend, Ireland take their foot off the gas slightly with Georgia the next visitors to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Rhys Ruddock, drafted into the team at late notice when Chris Henry was ruled out just before kick-off, and Tommy Bowe both crossed for tries, while the ever-reliable Jonathan Sexton kicked 16 points, to help the reigning Six Nations champions comfortably come out on top in Dublin.
It was a result that ended the Springboks’ five-year hex over Ireland and talk now turns to whether Joe Schmidt’s side can complete a clean sweep of three successive victories in the Autumn International series.
Scheduling has allowed Schmidt to rotate his squad this weekend for the visit of Georgia, before Australia visit the Irish capital to round the series off.
Ahead of the arrival of Georgia Schmidt has made a total of 13 changes to the side that started against South Africa, with prop Mike Ross and winger Simon Zebo the only men to retain their jerseys.
Dave Foley and Dominic Ryan will make their Ireland debuts while Eoin Reddan captains the side for the first time.
Munster's Robin Copeland will win his first cap if he comes off the bench against a Georgian team full of grizzled veterans of the French Top 14 and renowned as hugely physical.
Fit-again Gordon D'Arcy returns at centre and he will partner Ulster's Darren Cave in midfield, with Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne both rested.
Multitude rested
Munster second-row Foley starts alongside Leinster's Mike McCarthy, with captain Paul O'Connell rested and Devin Toner on the bench.
Leinster flanker Ryan, 24, starts at six despite being a more natural openside, partnering Tommy O'Donnell and Robbie Diack in an all-new back-row combination.
Leinster scrum-half Reddan will partner club-mate Ian Madigan at half-back.
Munster playmaker Ian Keatley covers fly-half from the bench, with Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray among the multitude given the weekend off.
Meanwhile, Georgia head coach Milton Haig has made three changes in personnel for Sunday's clash with Ireland.
The vastly experienced Irakli Machkhaneli - Georgia's captain in last weekend's 23-9 loss to Tonga in Tbilisi - misses out due to a shoulder injury.
Sandro Todua, who plays for Georgian champions Lelo Saracens, replaces him with Tamaz Mchedlidze moving to the right wing.
Outside centre David Kacharava takes over the captaincy duties of the mostly French-based Georgian side. Ex-Edinburgh forward Dimitri Basilaia returns from injury at number 8 and Giorgi Nemsadze takes over from Levan Datunashvili in the second row.
Ireland: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan; 1 Dave Kilcoyne, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Dave Foley, 5 Mike McCarthy, 6 Dominic Ryan, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 8 Robbie Diack
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; 1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 4 Kote Mikautadze, 5 Giorgi Nemsadze, 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili , 7 Vito Kolelishvili, 8 Dimitri Basilaia
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
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