Georgia captain Sharikadze returns for Wales clash

:Captain Merab Sharikadze returns to the Georgia starting lineup to earn a 99th test cap in their Rugby World Cup Pool C clash with Wales on Saturday, one of five changes for their final group fixture.

Georgia will exit the tournament whatever happens against the Welsh in Nantes, but can leave with a victory having secured a draw and suffered two defeats in their first three games, while their opponents are hoping to earn top spot.

The Lelos beat Wales 13-12 in Cardiff last November for only their second win over a tier one nation but Sharikadze said the Welsh, who have qualified for the quarter-finals, had improved greatly.

"I can proudly say that is the biggest win of Georgian rugby history ever, so obviously I am very proud that I have been part of it," he told reporters on Thursday.

"They are playing much, much better than they did last year. There is no good result for us other than winning."

Prop Guram Gogichashvili and hooker Shalva Mamukashvili are also back in the side after missing the 17-12 loss to Fiji, along with second row Nodar Cheishvili.

Fullback Lasha Khmaladze is the fifth change as he forms a back three with wingers Davit Niniashvili and Akaki Tabutsadze. It is Khmaladze’s first appearance of this World Cup having also played in 2011 and 2019.

"We need to create more opportunities," said Niniashvili. "Every opportunity we create, we just need to execute it, finish it, and transform it into points."

Giorgi Kveseladze partners captain Sharikadze at centre, and scrumhalf Vasil Lobzhanidze is alongside flyhalf Luka Matkava, who kicked the winning penalty when Georgia beat Wales.

Beka Gigashvili is the other prop and Konstantine Mikautadze partners Cheishvili at lock. They are reunited for the first time since