24 years in 140 characters: Lost winnable match to Uruguay in 03 but beat Namibia in 07 and should have beaten Ireland. Will want, very much, to do better than Russia

Record in 2011: P6 W6 L0

World Cup record:

1987: Not invited

1991: Did not qualify

1995: Did not qualify

1999: Did not qualify

2003: Pool Stages

2007: Pool Stages

Coach: Richie Dixon

Captain: Irakli Abuseridze

How are they likely to get on? Four years ago the Georgians gave Ireland the fright of their lives before losing 14-10. Guided by the former Scotland coach Richie Dixon, their main weapon is no secret: the Lelos love an arm-wrestle and the prop Davit Kubriashvili has kept Carl Hayman on the bench at Toulon. Several other members of the squad ply their trade in the French Top 14 and standards are rising steadily. "I expect us to be dangerous opponents to anyone," says Dixon.

Key player: Mamuka Gorgodze. Known as Gorgodzilla, the giant lock was voted the French league's overseas player of the year last season and has signed for Toulon.

Commentator's kit: Georgia's nickname, Lelos, derives from an ancient Georgian sport, lelo berti ('field ball') which bears extensive similarities to rugby.

Squad

Vasil Kakovin, prop, age 21, caps 15

Davit Khinchagishvili, prop, age 29, caps 35

Davit Kubriashvili, prop, age 25, caps 17

Davit Zirakashvili, prop, age 27, caps 28

Jaba Bregvadze, hooker, age 24, caps 13

Akvsenti Giorgadze, hooker, age 25, caps 62

Goderdzi Shvelidze, prop, age 33, caps 61

Levan Datunashvili, second-row, age 28, caps 42

Vakhtang Maisuradze, second-row, age 24, caps 8

Giorgi Nemsadze, second-row, age 26, caps 22

Shalva Sutiashvili, flanker, age 27, caps 20

Ilia Zedginidze, second-row, age 34, caps 63

Givi Berishvili, flanker, age 24, caps 3

Giorgi Chkhaidze, flanker, age 30, caps 48

Viktor Kolelishvili, flanker, age 21, caps 10

Dimitri Basilaia, No8, age 25, caps 16

Mamuka Gorgodze, No8, age 27, caps 37

Irakli Abuseridze (c), scrum-half, age 33, caps 72

Bidzina Samkharadze, scrum-half, age 27, caps 56

Lasha Khmaladze, fly-half, age 23, caps 9

Merab Kvirikashvili, fly-half, age 27, caps 52

Lasha Malaguradze, fly-half, age 25, caps 31

Revaz Gigauri, centre, age 27, caps 31

Davit Kacharava, centre, age 26, caps 43

Tedore Zibzibadze, centre, age 31, caps 56

Irakli Chkhikvadze, wing, age 23, caps 25

Lexo Gugava, wing, age 29, caps 22

Irakli Machkhaneli, wing, age 30, caps 48

Alexander Todua, centre, age 23, caps 24

Malkhaza Urjukashvil, full-back, age 30, caps 67

Average age 26.8

Average caps 34.5