Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Ireland’s clash with Georgia in Tbilisi.

This is the first of two summer Tests for Ireland, with Paul O’Connell’s squad heading to Lisbon to take on Portugal next Saturday.

But first up it’s Georgia, where it’s been bucketing rain today. Kick-off at the 27,000-capacity Mikheil Meskhi Stadium is at 6pm, and we’ll bring you all the action as it happens.

There’s one change to the Ireland team announced earlier this week. Cian Prendergast drops out with a bug, so Leinster’s Max Deegan comes onto the bench.

IRELAND TEAM UPDATE: Connacht back-row forward Cian Prendergast (Gastro bug) is a late withdrawal for tonight’s game and his place on the replacements will now be taken by Leinster’s Max Deegan.#GEOVIRE #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/2Ms3f9kKZi

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 5, 2025

If you’re looking for some pre-game reading, you can find our match preview here.

Interim head coach Paul O’Connell has been left with a very different group to work with. Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale, capped three times in the last two years, is by a distance the most experienced Test player in the squad. The 29-year-old wins his 39th cap this evening. Next best is Ryan Baird on 27 caps, with Jack Crowley (24 caps) the only other player in the 33-man squad with 20-plus caps to his name.

Almost time to go in Tbilisi, the teams just making their way out onto the pitch to the sounds of The Prodigy’s Firestarter. The weather is certainly going to have a big impact here, it’s been pouring down.

KICK-OFF:

We’re underway in Tbilisi. Andrea Piardi is our referee. Just a reminder that this game is live on Virgin Media if you’re looking for it.

1min: Georgia 0 Ireland 0

So two debutants in the Ireland starting 15, Leinster winger Tommy O’Brien and Connacht lock Darragh Murray. There’s four more new caps waiting for their chance off the bench – Munster pair Michael Milne and Tom Ahern and Connacht duo Jack Aungier and Ben Murphy.

TRY! Tommy O’Brien on debut!

Georgia 0 Ireland 7

What a start!

Tommy O’Brien bags his first try for Ireland just 95 seconds into his debut. Ireland work their way up through the pitch, with Jamie Osborne heavily involved, before Sam Prendergast chips over the top for O’Brien to collect and score. Prendergast converts and Ireland have an early lead.

TRY! Tommy O’Brien again!

7mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

First scrum of the day, and Ireland’s all-Leinster front row of Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson hold firm. Ireland win a scrum penalty and play on, with Prendergast swinging a long pass wide to O’Brien, who darts over for his second. Dream stuff for the Leinster man. Prendergast makes it two from two off the tee.

14mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

We’re looking at a potential Georgia try, but I think the home side will be disappointed…

Georgia stretch Ireland with short, sharp passing before a lovely step and pass from La Rochelle-bound fullback Davit Niniashvili. Aka Tabutsadze takes on Jamie Osborne and tries to twist over the line but drops the ball in the process. A pretty clear no-try, although Piardi takes a good look at it before making up his mind. 

22mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

It’s getting tasty in Tbilisi! Georgia win a scrum penalty, against Jack Boyle, and then there’s a coming together between both packs. Looks to have started between hooker Vano Karkadze and Cormac Izuchukwu. Karkadze gets a warning for his troubles, and the penalty is reversed, so Prendergast kicks to the corner.

Ryan Baird wins the lineout and Ireland maul, but Georgia win the ball back through Giorgi Akhaladze.

25mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

CLOSE! 

Ireland turn the ball over at the scrum and attack left to right. Jimmy O’Brien steps a defender but his pass is loose, although Tommy O’Brien reacts well to flick a pass to Prendergast. The out-half dives for the corner and gets the ball down, but his foot looks in touch.

On-field decision is no try and after a TMO review that decision stands.

27mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

Good scrum battle here, this time Georgia win the penalty, came from a crooked lineout throw by Gus McCarthy.

29mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

Messy scrum this time, Ireland engage too early and Georgia handed another penalty. 

32mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

This is a really scrappy game now, with the rain pelting down. Jamie Osborne loses a ball forward but hard to call it an error given the conditions. 

37mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

Jacob Stockdale has been forced off with an injury, so Calvin Nash is in the game. A shame for Stockdale, the Ulster winger looked sharp when he got on the ball.

39mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

Ireland minced at the scrum, and Georgia kick to halfway.

40mins: Georgia 0 Ireland 14

More frustration for Ireland, and Paul O’Connell doesn’t look too happy as he makes his way down from the coaching box. From a lineout Ireland attack but it’s slow and one-dimensional, and after Stuart McCloskey carries into contact Georgia turn the ball over.

TRY! Georgia, Jalagonia.

40mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 14

Georgia win a penalty and go to the the corner, good kick from out-half Luka Matkava. Flanker Beka Saginadze wins it at the tail and Georgia maul and win a penalty, Ryan Baird the guilty party. This time Georgia throw to the middle and pop the ball back to the front, then number eight Tornike Jalagonia powers over through Gavin Coombes. No conversion, but Georgia end the half on a high.

HALF TIME: Georgia 5 Ireland 14

We’re back underway in Tbilisi.

TRY! Craig Casey!

41mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 21

That’s a wonderful try. Georgia lose the ball from a kick and Gavin Coomes comes away with possession, passing wide to his Munster teammate Calvin Nash. Nash breaks down the wing and passes inside to Ryan Baird, who adds ground and is patient under pressure before offloading to Craig Casey, who runs over unchallenged. Prendergast converts. 

PENALTY – Prendergast

45mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 24

Ireland have scored 10 points five minutes into the second half. They win a penalty, point for the posts, and Prendergast makes no mistake. He’s been good off the tee on a difficult night for kickers.

48mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 21

Potential Georgia try, hooker Vano Karkadze bursting through a maul, but he loses the ball forward under great pressure from Coombes. No try.

55mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 24

This is really scrappy now. Ireland creating a few promising attacks but can’t make them count.

59mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 24

Changes for Ireland. Tom Stewart in for cap number three, and Michael Milne on for his Test debut. Jack Boyle and Gus McCarthy the players making way.

PENALTY – Prendergast

61mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 27

Ireland win a penalty and Prendergast will take the points. Some boos as he stands over the ball but the Kildare man slots in. That’s 12 points for Prendergast tonight.

As Ireland get back into position Munster’s Tom Ahern enters for his Test debut, with Izuchukwu heading for the bench.

66mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 27

Max Deegan is on for Gavin Coombes. A reminder that Deegan wasn’t originally in the matchday 23, but was added to the squad after Cian Prendergast had to pull out due to a bug.

This is Deegan’s first Ireland cap in over four years.

67mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 27

Great lineout steal from Ryan Baird. He has a shout as Ireland’s best player tonight.

69mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 27

Another debut, Connacht’s Jack Aungier in for Thomas Clarkson.

TRY! Nick Timoney!

70mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 34

Nick Timoney has try number four for Ireland, and it’s his fourth try in four caps for Ireland.

Ireland play across the Georgia defence but can’t break through, despite excellent play from the two O’Briens. Prendergast then kicks wide to Timoney, who tries to muscle through two defenders. It’s impressive strength by the Ulster player, and he gets the ball down. Prendergast again nails the conversion, and that will be his last action of the night.

Jack Crowley is on at 10, and Connacht’s Ben Murphy is in for a debut at scrum-half, replacing captain Craig Casey.

75mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 34

Another lineout steal for Baird, he’s cleaning up in the air.

77mins: Georgia 5 Ireland 34

Yellow card for Stuart McCloskey for not retreating, the Ulster player doesn’t agree with the decision. Georgia attack but big turnover from Deegan.

FULL TIME: Georgia 5 Ireland 34

Well, not a classic in Tbilisi, but lots of new combinations and six new caps in a four-try win for Ireland.

Next up it’s Portugal in Lisbon, where Paul O’Connell will hope to see a more cohesive team performance.

Thanks for joining our live coverage this evening. We’ll have a match report on site shortly.