Paul O’Connell was taking cost as interim coach for first time, with Andy Farrell and several other Eire gamers on Lions obligation; watch each sport of 2025 Lions tour, together with all three Exams in opposition to Australia, stay on Sky Sports activities
Final Up to date: 05/07/25 9:01pm
Eire captain Craig Casey congratulates Tommy O’Brien (proper) after his two-try debut
A primary-half brace by debutant Tommy O’Brien helped Eire register a powerful 34-5 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi.
Eire had been with out head coach Andy Farrell and a plethora of gamers resulting from British and Irish Lions commitments however confirmed their power in depth with an assured show on a rain-soaked pitch.
O’Brien raced over twice contained in the opening exchanges earlier than Craig Casey marked his captaincy debut with a wonderful attempt initially of the second interval.
Nick Timoney wrapped up the scoring late on, whereas Sam Prendergast added 14 factors throughout a faultless kicking show beneath interim boss Paul O’Connell.
Former Eire U20 captain O’Brien solely wanted two minutes to get off the mark as he latched onto Prendergast’s kick and touched down subsequent to the posts.
Prendergast’s profitable conversion was swiftly adopted by a second rating for Eire within the eighth minute. It was the identical mixture once more as Prendergast despatched the ball excessive and O’Brien crossed over in the fitting nook.
Jamie Osborne of Eire is tackled by Beka Saghinadze of Georgia
After Prendergast added the extras to make it 14-0, Georgia mounted a response, with boos following the TMO determination to disallow Aka Tabutsadze’s very good solo effort.
The TMO was required once more to rule out a attempt by Prendergast earlier than Eire ended the half on a bitter be aware. Jacob Stockdale was pressured to depart the pitch after an damage to his left arm and Georgia then deservedly received on the scoreboard.
With the clock within the purple, the hosts continued to probe the Irish defence and broke by means of due to Tornike Jalagonia within the nook. It was a poor finish to an expert half, however interim captain Casey stepped up after the break, storming over inside 60 seconds after he mixed with Ryan Baird to mark his first match with the armband with a attempt.
One other Prendergast conversion was adopted by two penalties as Eire established a 22-point benefit by the halfway level of the second half.
O’Connell began to shuffle his pack because the seconds ticked away amid heavy rain, with Tom Ahern and Jack Aungier despatched on for debuts.
It was adopted by a fourth attempt for Eire as Timoney collected a bouncing kick to bundle over regardless of the presence of two Georgian gamers.
After the TMO was required to intervene, it was ultimately awarded and Prendergast landed one other wonderful kick from the touchline to complete with a 14-point haul on a profitable night time for Eire’s makeshift group.
Sky Sports activities will solely present the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Exams in opposition to the Wallabies and 6 warm-up matches to be proven solely stay
