TOKYO, 9 Oct - Georgia coach Milton Haig has selected virtually the same starting XV who lost against Fiji for his team's final game of Rugby World Cup 2019, against Australia at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa on Friday.

Scrum-half Gela Aprasidze replaces Vasil Lobzhanidze, and Beka Saginadze comes in for Giorgi Tkhilaishvili in the back row. Both Lobzhanidze and Tkhilaishvili drop to the bench. 

Merab Sharikadze, pictured, is the first of Georgia's three skippers at RWC 2019 to retain the captaincy for a second match.

Inside-centre Sharikadze missed Georgia's first game against Wales and came on from the bench in the victory over Uruguay. Outside-centre David Kacharava will win his 119th cap, extending his record. 

Back-rower Otari Giorgadze, named Player of the Match in the 33-7 victory over Los Teros, drops to the bench for what could be the final Lelos game for experienced quartet Mamuka Gorgodze, David Kacharava, Shalva Mamukashvili and Giorgi Nemsadze. 

Gorgodze will play his 15th Rugby World Cup match, equalling the Georgian record held by Merab Kvirikashvili. 

Georgia

1. Mikheil Nariashvili
2. Shalva Mamukashvili
3. Beka Gigashvili
4. Giorgi Nemsadze
5. Konstantine Mikautadze
6. Beka Saginadze
7. Mamuka Gorgodze
8. Beka Gorgadze
9. Gela Aprasidze
10. Lasha Khmaladze
11. Alexander Todua
12. Merab Sharikadze (capt.)
13. David Kacharava
14. Giorgi Kveseladze
15. Soso Matiashvili

16. Jaba Bregvadze
17. Guram Gogichashvili
18. Giorgi Melikidze
19. Otari Giorgadze
20. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili
21. Vasil Lobzhanidze
22. Lasha Malaguradze
23. Tamaz Mchedlidze

RNS sdg/ah/pp