Second-string Ireland seal comfortable win over Georgia

Debutant Tommy O'Brien crossed for two early tries to set the platform for Ireland’s comfortable 34-5 win over hosts Georgia in their one-off test in Tbilisi on Saturday.

Captain Craig Casey and loose forward Nick Timoney scored the other tries for Ireland while flyhalf Sam Prendergast contributed 14 points with a flawless haul of four conversions and two penalties.

Georgia’s only score came on the stroke of halftime from Tornike Jalagonia as they struggled to compete with an Ireland side missing 15 players on British & Irish Lions duty in Australia.

Also missing were coach Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby, his Six Nations stand-in, with former captain Paul O’Connell taking charge of the trip to the Mikheil Meshki Stadium.

Leinster winger O’Brien enjoyed a dream start to his international career as he snatched a chip forward from Prendergast to score after two minutes, adding his second in the corner six minutes later.

Jalagonia’s try reduced the halftime lead to 14-5 but straight after the resumption Casey went over to stretch Ireland's advantage before Prendergast kicked two penalties to keep up the pressure on the hosts.

Timoney’s try came 10 minutes from time as he finished off Prendergast's low cross kick in the corner.

Ireland play Portugal in Lisbon next Saturday.