Georgia selects for Namibia match

Martin Haig has named his strongest possible Georgian side to take on Namibia in Exeter on Wednesday. If the Lelos win, they can be expected to come third in Pool C, in doing so earning automatic qualification for RWC 2019. Tonga currently sit two points ahead, but will have to face New Zealand in their final pool match with the odds stacked heavily against them.

The only change to the side that took on Argentina in Gloucester is the selection of Sandro Todua in place of Giorgi Aptsiauri on the left wing. Mamuka Gorgodze starts his fourth match in a row and goal kicker Merab Kvirikashvili returns at fullback after missing the match against New Zealand.

The two sides have faced off on four previous occasions, with Georgia winning three. The last result was a 23-18 victory for the Lelos in Bucharest in 2011, while Namibia earned their only win in the same spot a year earlier by a score of 21-16.

GEORGIA
1 Mikheil Nariashvili 2 Jaba Bregvadze 3 Davit Zirakashvili 4 Giorgi Nemsadze 5 Kote Mikautadze 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili 7 Vito Kolelishvili 8 Mamuka Gorgodze (capt.) 9 Vaso Lobzhanidze 10 Lasha Malaguradze 11 Sandro Todua 12 Merab Sharikadze 13 Davit Kacharava 14 Tamaz Mchedlidze 15 Merab Kvirikashvili

16 Shalva Mamukashvili 17 Karlen Asieshvili 18 Anton Peikrishvili 19 Levan Datunashvili 20 Lasha Lomidze 21 Giorgi Begadze 22 Giorgi Aptsiauri 23 Beka Tsiklauri