Ireland continued their Autumn Nations Cup campaign with their final Group A match against Georgia in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Andy Farrell's men were looking to secure the runners up position in the group behind England, after the group leaders defeated Wales on Saturday.
Ireland were the first on the board after Billy Burns broke through a half gap created by Chris Farrell off the loop play. Farrell offloaded well to put the flyhalf in under the posts.
Lovely hands from Chris Farrell to release that pass to Burns.
Ireland continuing with their use of stacks off 9, allowed Henderson to make big gainline carry early in that passage.#IREvGEO— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) November 29, 2020
Brilliant play from Chris Farrell to set Billy Burns up for the opening score!
It's a first international try for Burns as Ireland ☘️ grab hold of this @autumnnations clash 💪#C4Rugby #IREvGEO #AutumnNationsCup pic.twitter.com/D8jT7SDlxY— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) November 29, 2020
Ireland's defence let them down in the opening quarter, though, as Giorgi Kveseladze exploited a half gap to break through and make a break down field.
he dummied Jacob Stockdale in the back field, and ran in under the posts for Georgia's first try of the Autumn Nations Cup.
They are delighted and so they should be 👏
Giorgi Kveseladze crosses the line with a superb solo try to grab Georgia’s first score in the @autumnnations 🇬🇪#C4Rugby #IREvGEO #AutumnNationsCup pic.twitter.com/rOnuRsAwfM— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) November 29, 2020
Asked Stockdale about taking dummies as full-back when something similar happened v Italy. Said he'd work on it... #RTERugby #RTESport #IREvGEO pic.twitter.com/KkV2Gr28rk
— Michael Glennon (@MicilGlennon) November 29, 2020
Hugo Keenan got the try back late in the first half though, finishing off a well-worked series of play for the hosts.
With Ireland looking as if they were about to revert to type and set up a number of pick and goes on the try line, Burns threw a wide pass to Jacob Stockdale, who in turn threw an excellent cut-out pass to Keenan to run in untouched.
A lovely long pass finds Hugo Keenan on the wing to widen Ireland's lead here in Dublin ☘️#C4Rugby #IREvGEO #AutumnNationsCup pic.twitter.com/36uXv32vVH
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) November 29, 2020
The hosts looked to be finding their stride on attack late in the half, however Stuart McCloskey was denied a try after a wide pass from Stockdale was ruled forward by the TMO.
2 great seeds from #Stockdale 1 off either hand. Both flatter than flat but harsh call there on the forward pass #IREvGEO
— Darren Cave (@darrencave13) November 29, 2020
Georgia did well to hold on to a 13-point deficit at the half, with Ireland leading at half time by 20-7.
The second half was much quieter for both sides, as after 20 minutes played in the second half, each side had only managed a single penalty on the scoreboard.
That is so poor from Ireland.
Dire stuff since half time really. #IREvGEO— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) November 29, 2020
With neither side able to score a try in the second half, Ireland repeatedly went to the corner in an attempt to score a third try before the final whistle.
Now that we have under ten minutes left we can safely say that this game has been not good without fear of the remaining 7 minutes somehow retrieving the situation.
Unless it's two converted tries from Georgia, mind.#IREvGEO— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) November 29, 2020
Ireland were unable to cross over the line in the final couple of minutes of the match, as CJ Stander was tackled into touch to complete a disappointing second half of rugby.
Georgia recorded their best result in Dublin, with Ireland winning 23-10.
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