Team guide: Georgia
Georgia may not have the quality to make the knockout stages but they can compete up front.
Credit: PA
Squad:
Forwards: Mikheil Nariashvili, Kakha Asieshvili, Simon Maisuradze, Shalva Mamukashvili, Jaba Bregvadze, Davit Zirakashvili, Dudu Kubriashvili, Levan Chilachava, Giorgi Chkhaidze, Levan Datunashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Kote Mikautadze, Mamuka Gorgodze (captain), Shalva Sutiashvili, Vito Kolelishvili, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Lasha Lomidze.
Backs: Merab Kvirikashvili, Beka Tsiklauri, Giorgi Aptsiauri, Sandro Todua, Tamaz Mtchedlidze, Muraz Giorgadze, Giorgi Pruidze, Davit Katcharava, Merab Sharikadze, Lasha Malaghuradze, Lasha Khmaladze, Giorgi Begadze, Vazha Khutsishvili, Vasil Lobzhanidze.
The Georgian pack will be keen to make its presence felt at this World Cup.
Credit: PA
Form: Wins against Romania, Russia, Spain, Portugal and Germany this year have shown Georgia to be a cut above the emerging European nations but they still have a lot of work to do to close the gap on more established sides – as shown by convincing defeats to Tonga and Ireland at the end of 2014.
Captain: Levan Datunashvili has been a regular fixture in the Georgian side for more than 10 years since making his Test debut in 2004. The veteran lock played in both his country's two World Cup victories to date and will be eager to build on those successes in Pool C.
Star player: Mamuka Gorgodze. Georgia boast a number of powerhouse forwards and driving them at the back of that scrum is Toulon back-rower Gorgodze. At 6ft 5in and 118kg, "Gorgodzilla" is an intimidating presence, which he demonstrated in a superb World Cup display against England four years ago.
World Cup history: This year's tournament represents a fourth consecutive World Cup for Georgia, an achievement in itself given they only first qualified in 2003. Since then they have managed two wins, against Namibia in 2007 and Romania in 2011, but the knock-out stages remain a remote possibility.
Georgia’s Pool C fixtures:
Sat 19 Sept TONGA v GEORGIA (Kingsholm, 12pm)
Fri 25 Sept ARGENTINA v GEORGIA (Kingsholm, 4.45pm)
Fri 2 Oct NEW ZEALAND v GEORGIA (Millennium Stadium, 8pm)
Wed 7 Oct NAMIBIA v GEORGIA (Sandy Park, 8pm)
