Advertisement
Looking Back

Ireland v Georgia: A history in pictures

We’ve delved into the archives ahead of Sunday’s game.

IRELAND’S NOVEMBER TEST series continues on Sunday as Georgia, currently ranked 15th in the world, visit the Aviva Stadium.

It gives Joe Schmidt the opportunity to shuffle his deck and those who have been given the stage to impress will be desperate to make an impression against opposition who are expected to provide little resistance.

This will be the fourth meeting between the sides and while the last  - at the 2007 World Cup – was a lot tighter than many imagined, the two clashes in Dublin have been horribly one-sided affairs.

The games in 1998 and 2002 are unlikely to have lasted long in the memory so ahead of Sunday’s game, we delved into the archives…

Kevin Maggs scored two of his 15 international tries against Georgia

Kevin Maggs 14/11/1998 Patrick Bolger / INPHO Patrick Bolger / INPHO / INPHO

Eric Miller doing plenty of legwork in midfield during the game in 1998

Eric Miller 14/11/1998 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Conor O’Shea was certainly determined to keep hold of possession

Conor O'Shea 14/11/1998 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

We’re not quite sure what was happening during this maul involving Paul Wallace

Paul Wallace 14/11/1998 Patrick Bolger / INPHO Patrick Bolger / INPHO / INPHO

The scoreboard says it all…

Ireland v Georgia 14/11/1998 Patrick Bolger / INPHO Patrick Bolger / INPHO / INPHO

Jonathan Bell had not two, but three Georgians on his case

Jonathan Bell 14/11/1998 Patrick Bolger / INPHO Patrick Bolger / INPHO / INPHO

One thing the Georgians bring is physicality, however

Ross Nesdale 14/11/1998 Patrick Bolger / INPHO Patrick Bolger / INPHO / INPHO

Peter Clohessy didn’t look overly impressed with this attempt at a tackle

Peter Clohessy 14/11/1998 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

The game in 2002 didn’t seem to capture the public’s imagination

Ireland v Georgia PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

It took two Georgians to halt the progress of Ronan O’Gara

Ireland v Georgia PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Ireland scored six tries in a 63-14 win

Ireland v Georgia PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The Georgians did, however, manage to get on the scoreboard unlike four years previous

Ireland v Georgia PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The one fan in the South Stand had a great view of BOD touching down. Mind you, the steward doesn’t look best pleased

Ireland v Georgia PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Did Neil Best ever quite recover from the scare Ireland were given in 2007?

Neil Best and Denis Hickie dejected Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Relief, pure relief

Girvan Dempsey and Jerry Flannery Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

“Well, that didn’t go according to plan.”

Rugby Union - IRB Rugby World Cup 2007 - Pool D - Ireland v Georgia - Chaban Delmas Stadium PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Donncha O’Callaghan gets to grips Giorgis Shkinin

FRANCE WCUP RUGBY WORLD CUP IRELAND GEORGIA AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The best of friends (before the match, anyway)

Rugby Union - IRB Rugby World Cup 2007 - Pool D - Ireland v Georgia - Chaban Delmas Stadium PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Finally, Felix Jones has experience of playing against Georgia. Jones, Cian Healy, Devin Toner, Jonny Sexton and Chris Henry were all involved for Ireland A in the Churchill Cup clash in 2009

Churchill Cup Ireland A Georgia Rugby AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Madigan at 10 as Schmidt selects Foley and Ryan for first Ireland caps

5 talking points from Joe Schmidt’s Ireland selection to face Georgia

Your Voice
Readers Comments
10
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.