Winning does wonders for confidence and the Spanish men's national team is in a very good place right now.

Unbeaten for almost a year on the back of an eight-match winning run, Los Leones are also tantalisingly close to achieving a new record all-time high of 14th in the World Rugby Men's Rankings.

A first win against Georgia in eight years in front of what promises to be a sell-out 12,000 crowd at Campo Central de la Ciudad Universitaria, would be another major step forward for a team that has put the disappointment of missing out on RWC 2019 behind them.

“Georgia is always a tough opponent," said Fernando López Pérez, their captain since November 2018. "Hopefully in Madrid, we will be able to show them our true standard. Beating them would be very good as we lead into the qualifying process for the next Rugby World Cup.”

Motivation

Spain intend to keep pushing forward so that they are in the best place possible when that qualification process begins with next year's Rugby Europe Championship, and López Pérez remains very much part of head coach Santiago Santos' plans despite his advancing years.

Soon to turn 34 and closing in the 50-cap mark, the prop says the pain of not qualifying for Japan 2019 motivates him and his team-mates to make it to the next tournament in France in three years' time.

“I wasn’t too sure because of the age I’ll be in four years' time, but speaking with my club’s trainer, he convinced that I was more than capable of making it (to France). I haven’t had big injuries, and by modifying my preparation and my nutrition, I am in great shape.

“Not qualifying was painful, but we had to turn the page," he added. "New players, with a positive attitude, came onboard and that was of huge help. We all get along well, fighting for a place in the starting XV, but ensuring we do our best for the team.”

Having begun their Rugby Europe Championship 2020 campaign with a 31-12 win against Russia in Sochi last weekend, López Pérez is now looking forward to keeping the bandwagon rolling in front of their own fans.

“The support of our fans is always important. They really push us and that helps the team," he said.