IT’S OFTEN SAID complacency is the enemy of progress and after reaching the exalted heights of toppling the Springboks last week, many will argue it will be Ireland’s biggest threat when they face Georgia this afternoon at the Aviva Stadium.
Joe Schmidt has, unsurprisingly, rung the changes for a game which comes either side of the attritional win over South Africa and the visit of Australia in six days time.
Just two players – Mike Ross and Simon Zebo – remain from last week as the management look to assess their options with next year’s World Cup fast approaching. It represents an ideal opportunity for Schmidt to cast his eye over those on the periphery.
Regardless, there will be an expectation – not least among the near sell-out crowd expected in Dublin 4 – that Ireland will make light work of their inferior opposition and make it two wins from two in this November series with an element of swagger and panache.
Granted, the two previous meetings between the sides in the capital would suggest it will be a one-sided procession and anything but a home win would defy the odds, the form book and every other variable but this is a Georgian side who are on an upward curve.
They’ve come along way since leaking 70 unanswered points at Lansdowne Road in 1998.
Under the tutelage of Kiwi Milton Haig, the Georgians have made significant headway and with several of their squad plying their trade in the Top 14, it would be dangerous to completely disregard the challenge they will pose.
“Georgia is an interesting prospect,” Ireland’s assistant coach Les Kiss said on the eve of the game. “We know their history, they beat Samoa last year and that builds believe.
“We’ve looked at their squad and they’ve a lot of big players playing in France. They should be confident.”
Kiss insists those players who have been given the platform to make an impression must not let their long-term targets – securing a place in the World Cup panel – inhibit the short-term goal of backing up last week’s win with another on Sunday.
“It’s an opportunity for a lot of people, it’s a chance to get in the squad for next week and that’s all the focus is. We’ve got 15 guys starting and some more coming off the bench hoping to catch the eye,” Kiss continued.
“We rate players very highly that can deliver when they come on because that’s a massive play for us. The opportunity isn’t about anything in the distant future but what they do in each minute of the game to ensure they can actually deliver so we can say you’re worthy of being in the squad.”
With wholesale changes comes the worry of a disjointed performance. Dave Foley and Leinster’s Dominic Ryan will make their debuts while Darren Cave has been handed a recall from the international wilderness – he was in New York last week during the South Africa match.
However, Kiss believes the hard work on the training pitch will ensure the players are understanding of each other and can operate as a cohesive unit.
“The way we’ve prepared we’ve ensured to fill the gaps as much as possible. The guys have worked really hard in trying to understand each other. By no means are we a complex team, we like to keep things simple so it’s all about the player knowing his role and responsibility within the team and we’ll be hoping to be exact on Sunday.”
“It will be a special day for Eoin, fully deserved, and for the guys making their debut. There are special moments around the game but they won’t matter if we don’t come together as a team,” Kiss, who will become Ulster’s Director of Rugby after the World Cup, insisted.
Although ‘The Lelos’ are without experienced winger and captain Irakli Machkhaneli, their squad boasts players currently on the books at Toulon, Clermont and Stade Francais.
Milton Haig’s side are accustomed to going into games as the underdogs. Last year, on the same day Ireland came agonisingly close to defeating the All Blacks, Georgia secured a piece of history of their own by beating Samoa in Tbilisi.
Not many gave them a chance that day and it would take a brave, or foolish, punter to back the visitors today but such are Schmidt’s meticulous methods, every aspect of Georgia’s play – from the height of their players to their kicking game plan – has been analysed and studied.
From that research, Kiss knows they won’t roll over without resistance.
“There are a couple of keys for us. We know they traditionally have a strong front five and the work they do around that area is what they build their game around. You need to front up against them and that will be a big challenge for us.”
Georgia have some inside knowledge on the Irish as well. Former Connacht coach Michael Bradley is now Haig’s assistant.
“Bradders has injected a bit more expansion and whilst we’ve certainly focused on getting to and blunting the source of their game, we know they have a few more tolls in the shed.
“Even their back three, their two wingers are very strong and like to counter. Their half-backs will look to kick to the corners and they’ll look to play tactical rugby.”
Ireland know what to expect from their opponents. Physicality, tenacity and a tougher test than many are expecting. That said, if the home side can surmount the initial combat and break the Georgian resistance, the floodgates may well open.
There will be no shortage of green shirts queuing up to make their mark.
Ireland: 15. Felix Jones, 14. Craig Gilroy, 13. Darren Cave, 12. Gordon D’Arcy, 11. Simon Zebo, 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Eoin Reddan (captain), 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.
Georgia: 15. Merab Kvirikashvili, 14. Alexander Todua, 13. David Kacharava (captain), 12. Merab Sharikadze, 11. Tamaz Mtchedlidze, 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. Viktor Kolelishvili, 8. Dimitri Basilaia.
