The match will be Vera Pauw and co.’s fourth 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier and their third home fixture – they have yet to pick up a win at home in the campaign.

Ireland’s most recent match was a 1-1 draw with Slovakia, who netted against the run of play at the start of the second half.

Wing-back Katie McCabe pulled Ireland out of the fire on Thursday but they will need a more convincing performance against Georgia to mount a challenge for a place in the top two.

A win would put them in second on seven points with the same amount of games played as the rest of the group – currently, they sit fourth, level on points with Slovakia but behind due to the head-to-head away goal Slovakia scored.

Pauw’s Tigers have the second-best defence in the group, second only to Sweden – the second-best side in the world.

However, only three goals to their name underlines their wastefulness in the attacking third, something they must improve on if they are to make a push for World Cup qualification.

Their opponents come in the form of Georgia, who are yet to find the net in the qualifiers and have allowed nine goals in just three games.

The Georgians’ last goal in competitive football came against Israel thirteen months ago and another goalless 90 minutes against Ireland would mark five games without finding the net.

Their last competitive win came in a 2019 World Cup preliminary qualifier – a stage of qualification they did not get past.

If Ireland are to get the advantage on Finland and Slovakia at the halfway stage, now is their chance.

Teams

Republic of Ireland (4-2-3-1): Brosnan; Ziu, Fahey, Lo. Quinn, Caldwell; Littlejohn, Connolly; Lu. Quinn, O’Sullivan, McCabe (C), Carusa.

Subs: Moloney, Walsh, McCarthy, Atkinson, Barrett, O’Gorman, Finn, Farrelly, Grant, Noonan, Whelan, McLaughlin.

Georgia (4-2-3-1): Sukhashvili; Kalandadze, Sutidze, Tatuashvili, Khaburdzania; Pasikashvili, N. Daniela; Bebia, Tsotseria, Cheminava; Tchkonia (C).

Subs: Gabunia, Chkartishvili, Janikashvili, Bakradze, M. Danelia, Bolkvadze, Mtskerashvili, Dzadzua.

Odds

Ireland 1/50

Draw 9/1

Georgia 25/1

Where To Watch

The game will be available to watch live on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player with coverage starting at 6:30 pm.

The post Ireland v Georgia – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The two sides lined up against each other on Wednesday night in a one-sided affair that saw Warren Gatland’s touring side run out 54-7 winners in Ellis Park.

SA Rugby and the Lions have agreed to replace the Vodacom Bulls with the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (kick-off 18h00 SAT, 17h00 BST), after the former was ruled out because of COVID-19 infections.

The Lions beat the Cell C Sharks 54-7 at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Wednesday in the second match of the Castle Lager Lions Series. The tourists had opened their account at the same venue with a 56-14 victory over the Sigma Lions on Saturday.

“The choice of the Cell C Sharks was dictated by the fact that they have been in a bubble, have returned negative tests throughout and were prepared to take on the fixture,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.

“No other team in the country could meet those conditions right now – without going into a five-day lockdown. It is not an ideal situation, but COVID-19 has made sure that we do not live in an ideal world.”

The change has meant that the Cell C Sharks’ match against the Sigma Lions in the Carling Currie Cup on Saturday has been cancelled with a decision on the points allocation to be confirmed.

“We’re very grateful to the Sharks for agreeing to play us again this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld,” said Lions managing director Ben Calveley.

“We have further COVID-19 testing scheduled for today and tomorrow. The results of those tests will determine whether we will be able fulfil this fixture, but, as it stands, we are optimistic.

“We remain committed to the Tour in South Africa and determined to rise to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The possibility of the second game against the Sharks going ahead is subject to PCR test results from the squads.

The Lions, who put eight tries past the Sharks in their recent game, will undergo testing today and tomorrow but expect to be able to play at the weekend.

The story of the Lions’ tour to South Africa has been big wins and positive cases so far, with the South African national team having to cancel their second test against Georgia because of cases in both camps.

Their first match ended in a convincing 40-9 win after the Springboks snuck into the lead at the end of a tight first half.

South Africa is currently scheduled to field an ‘A’ side against the Lions on Wednesday, July 14th.

It remains to be seen how strong a team the South Africans will be able to field in that fixture.

The Lions will look to another fixture against the Sharks this weekend and are expected to play against the ‘A’ side, as mentioned above, and the DHL Stormers before playing the first test against the Springboks.

With cases in multiple camps and the test only two weeks away, the thought of a three-game test series between the two sides that would be unaffected by COVID-19 gets less convincing by the day.

To see the Lions’ fixture list for the tour, click here.

The post Lions To Play Sharks Again On Saturday appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ox Nché will start at loosehead prop, working alongside the experienced Bongi Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane in the front row.

Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert will be huge figures in the lineout and the scrum when they line up alongside each other in the second row.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and 2019 World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph Du Toit will be a huge presence at the breakdown from flanker while Kwagga Smith starts at number eight in place of the injured Duane Vermuelen.

Cobus Reinach and Handre Pollard will don the nine and 10 shirts respectively with Francois Steyn and Jesse Kriel filling out the midfield.

Willie Le Roux will provide safe hands at full-back and be a leader for debutants Aphelele Fassi and Rosko Specman in the back three.

Leicester Tigers’ Jasper Wiese is set to make his debut off the bench alongside the likes of Herschel and Elton Jantjies, among others.

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Action with coverage starting at 5:30 pm.

Springboks Team v Georgia

Backs

15. Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz)

14. Rosko Specman (Cheetahs/Free State Cheetahs)

13. Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)

12. Francois Steyn (Cheetahs/Free State Cheetahs)

11. Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)

10. Handre Pollard (Montpellier)

9. Cobus Reinach (Montpellier)

Forwards

1. Ox Nché (Sharks)
2. Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers/Western Province)
3. Trevor Nyakane (Bulls/Blue Bulls)
4. Eben Etzebeth (RC Toulon)
5. Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
6. Siya Kolisi C (Sharks)
7. Pieter-Steph Du Toit (Stormers/Western Province)
8. Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Jubilo)

Replacements

16. Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)

17. Steven Kitshoff (Stormers/Western Province)

18. Francois Malherbe (Stormers/Western Province)

19. Marvin Orie (Stormers/Western Province)

20. Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)

21. Herschel Jantjies (Stormers/Western Province)

22. Elton Jantjies (Lions/Golden Lions)

23. Damian Willemse (Stormers/Western Province)

The post South Africa Side Announced For Georgia Test appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The words of Ulster Head Coach Dan McFarland, and a vote of confidence for his prop Eric O’Sullivan.

Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell has called up O’Sullivan ahead of this weekend’s game against Georgia. Injuries continue to impact the Ireland squad, with Ed Byrne dropping out after missing the England game with a calf injury. Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw remain sidelined with their respective injuries.

Munster’s John Ryan, who also missed the England defeat, will to return to training this week ahead of the Georgia clash. With both props struggling for fitness, O’Sullivan may potentially earn his first cap for his country.

The 24-year-old is part of an in-form Ulster side who have won all seven of their PRO14 fixtures this season. He will be hoping he can continue this form with Ireland if given the opportunity by Farrell.

WATCH | Relive some of the best moments from Eric O'Sullivan's debut season pic.twitter.com/07SBSWhNLc

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 29, 2019

Ireland enter Sunday’s game on the back of a defeat against England after beating Wales comfortably the week before. Meanwhile, Georgia have failed to score a single point thus far, losing to both England and Wales.

The game kicks off at 2pm on Sunday at the Aviva Stadium.

The post Eric O’Sullivan earns first Ireland call-up appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The player in question is Ramaz Kharazishvili. The Rugby Union Vice President shot Kharazishvili in the shin. He has since had surgery.

Kharazishvili is the former captain of the international Sevens team. Recently, there have been many critics of the way the Georgia Rugby Union (GRU) has been run. Specifically, in terms of its funding and dispersion of funds. Kharazishvili has been one of the most vocal critics of this.

A dispute between Kharazishvili and Besilia broke out in the headquarters of the GRU on Wednesday which resulted in the latter shooting the international player. Accordingly, authorities arrested Besilia. Police have launched an investigation into the illegal purchase, possession, and carrying of a firearm and damage to health.

Acting President of the Rugby Union Tornike Gogebashvili stated that “Kharazishvili received injuries to his leg. His life is not in danger. All employees of the Rugby Union are co-operating with the police.”

Rugby is one the most popular sports in Georgia. In fact, the country has made it to four World Cups since 2003. Furthermore, they have been campaigning for a place in the 6 Nations competition for a long time.

Consequently, they are a worthy addition to the inaugural Autumn Nations tournament. In a group comprising of Ireland, Wales, and England, Georgia have a great opportunity to display their worth on a big stage. Thankfully, Georgia will still feature in the tournament.

BREAKING! #TheLelos to face @EnglandRugby, @WelshRugbyUnion & @IrishRugby in @autumnnations 2020 #ბორჯღალოსნები 8 ერში! საქართველოს ნაკრები 'შემოდგომის ერთა თასი 2020' #რაგბიჩვენითამაშია #AutumnNationsCup2020 pic.twitter.com/mstHpaRQZV

— Georgian Rugby Union (@GeorgianRugby) September 10, 2020

https://twitter.com/GeorgianRugby/status/1304050261686734849

https://3.249.64.60/racing/racing_irish/pat-smullen-1977-2020/

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