Georgian pack to front up to English

Georgia coach Richie Dixon kept faith with the bulk of his side when he announced his team to play England in their World Cup clash at the Otago Stadium on Sunday.

The starting XV showed just two changes to the team that lost 15-6 to Dixon's native Scotland in their Pool B opener in Invercargill on Wednesday.

Ilia Zedginidze replaced lock Levan Datunashvili and David Kubriashvili went from the bench to tighthead prop in place of David Zirakashvili.

Two changes is the smallest number Georgia have made between World Cup matches.

Four of Georgia's starters and two of their bench played in the Lelos' only previous match against England, an 84-6 thrashing at the 2003 World Cup in Perth, Western Australia.

Malkhaz Urjukashvili, the only Georgian at this World Cup who scored against 2003 champions England eight years ago, has been left out of the match-day 22 for Sunday's clash.

Earlier, England manager Martin Johnson announced nine changes to his starting side from the one that beat Argentina 13-9 in their opening Pool B fixture in Dunedin last Saturday.

Georgia: 15 Revaz Gigauri, 14 Irakli Machkhaneli, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Tedo Zibzibadze, 11 Alexander Todua, 10 Merab Kvirikashvili, 9 Irakli Abuseridze (captain), 8 Dimitri Basilaia, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze, 6 Shalva Sutiashvili, 5 Vakhtang Maisuradze, 4 Ilia Zedginidze, 3 David Kubriashvili, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 David Khinchagishvili.
Replacements: 16 Akvsenti Giorgadze, 17 David Zirakashvili, 18 Levan Datunashvili, 19 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 Givi Berishvili, 22 Lasha Khmaladze.

Date: Sunday, September 18
Venue: Otago Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 18.00 (06.00 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

AFP