Scotland v Georgia preview: Hosts to claim win despite onslaught up front

Dylan Coetzee
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Split with Scotland's WP Nel and Georgian Mikheil Nariashvili.

Split with Scotland's WP Nel and Georgian Mikheil Nariashvili.

Scotland’s preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France continue this week as they host the ever-impressive Lelos from Georgia.

Gregor Townsend’s side have been very impressive in the build-up to the global showpiece, showing their teeth against France and very nearly securing a brace of wins against the World Cup hosts.

The intent and ability of Scotland to dance with the best is clearly evident and the team is banking on taking momentum into the tournament rather than keeping their cards close to their chest. They come into this clash in fine fettle.

Georgia have been in great form themselves with wins against Romania and the USA in the build-up to this one. However, the difference in quality of opposition may count against them heading to Murrayfield.

Still, the Lelos are a brave side who are not afraid of playing big games at historic stadiums as their win against Wales in Cardiff last year clearly shows. Georgia have been a developing rugby nation for some years now and one gets the feeling they will be desperate to make their mark in France.

All of this sets up for an intriguing prospect in both of these teams’ final hit-out before the World Cup.

Where the game will be won

The two main factors in this Test are set-piece, specifically scrums and gain line. Both of those areas are where Georgia are the strongest and where they could possibly get a leg up on Scotland.

Georgia’s power game in the scrum is brilliant with their solid front-row and heavy pack. Under the tutelage of Pieter de Villiers, the Scotland pack is a real threat and their front-row better be on song.

Scotland’s biggest advantage over their opponents is the superiority of their half-back pairing of Finn Russell and Ben White. The duo are world-class and pretty complete players with very educated kicking games – a facet that could keep Georgia out of the game.

If Scotland’s pack achieves parity or better they will have everything they need to down Georgia with their X-factor backline.

Last time they met

What they said

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend decided to pick his strongest line-up again as he prepares his team for the gruelling Rugby World Cup opener against the Springboks.

“We certainly want to give players another chance to build on the performances so far,” said Townsend. “As a team, we have to take our game up to another level as we move towards the World Cup, so playing as many of those combinations that we believe will play against South Africa in two weeks’ time is really important.

“Not only do you get to play the game, you get to train in the build-up to the game – the starting team trains together – so another week of that to build cohesion is crucial for us so that we play close to our best rugby in that game against South Africa.”

Players to watch

Pocket-rocket Darcy Graham is back in the starting line-up this week and will know that he needs to perform because of the form of the other wings in the squad. Graham is a masterful runner of the ball with an impressive ability to beat defenders. He will be a big threat this weekend.

Elsewhere, scrum-half Ben White returns from injury and reclaims his starting spot. Scotland simply looks better with him on the park due to his crisp service and solid kicking game. Townsend will look for his man to slot back in as if he never left.

Jack Dempsey is the final Scot on our list and one who has been impressive since changing nationalities. The number eight is a seriously hard-working player and one who carries powerfully. He will be important in the collision area.

For Georgia, fly-half Luka Matkava has emerged as a young star and one fit for the Test scene. He has already made his mark when he nailed the winning kick against Wales in Cardiff last year. He is a neat-looking player but he will certainly be up against it when Russell comes with his box of tricks this weekend.

It is a massive day for hooker Shalva Mamukashvili who will become the sixth Lelos player to reach a century of caps. He has been a fine player for Georgia for some time and will be desperate to cap his milestone day with a memorable win.

Finally we highlight the powerhouse tighthead Beka Gigashvili, who is right up there with the best scrummagers in the game. He will be hoping to get one over Jamie Bhatti, who is at serious risk of being overpowered by the Georgian. Expect a big scrummaging performance.

Main head-to-head

This week’s battle is at the coalface which will be absolutely crucial for the game’s outcome as two top front-rowers collide.

WP Nel has been around the block and is a proven scrummager at the highest level but he has his work cut out for him. It is a big chance for the prop to stake a claim and push for the starting position but first, he has to do his bit to dominate the battle up front or his team will be under huge pressure.

Lelos prop Mikheil Nariashvili is a fine loosehead renowned for his powerful scrummaging and the message for him will be simple; go and dominate. The veteran has been key to the rise of Georgian rugby and if the side were to claim a famous win it starts up front.

Prediction

It is going to be an interesting clash which will see the Scottish pack get put under serious pressure. However, the make-up of the side from top to bottom and the form are in favour of Townsend’s side as does home advantage. Scotland by 14.

Previous games

2020: Scotland won 48-7 in Edinburgh
2019: Scotland won 36-9 in Edinburgh
2019: Scotland won 44-10 in Tbilisi
2016: Scotland won 43-16 in Kilmarnock
2011: Scotland won 15-6 in Invercargill

The teams

Scotland: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Jamie Ritchie (c), 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Sam Skinner, 3 WP Nel, 2 Dave Cherry, 1 Jamie Bhatti
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Matt Fagerson, 21 George Horne, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Chris Harris

Georgia: 15 Davit Niniashvili, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Demur Tapladze, 12 Merab Sharikadze (c), 11 Mirian Modebadze, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Tornike Jalaghonia, 7 Mikheil Gachechiladze, 6 Luka Ivanishvili, 5 Konstantin Mikautadze, 4 Lado Chachanidze, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili
Replacements: 16 Tengiz Zamtaradze, 17 Guram Gogichashvili, 18 Guram Papidze, 19 Lasha Jaiani, 20 Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, 21 Gela Aprasidze, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Giorgi Kveseladze

Date: Saturday, August 26
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 17:30 BST (16:30 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Tual Trainini (France), Ludovic Cayre (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)

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