Ireland 63 Georgia 14

Ireland cemented their place in the Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia with a convincing 63-14 thumping of Georgia at Lansdowne Road, scoring eight tries in a Dublin procession which leaves the losers waiting on their own qualification chances.

Ireland's win means they assume a position in Pool A in the 2003 World Cup, the group which also sees Australia, Argentina and one further qualifier.

The Georgian Lelos however must bank on beating Russia in Tbilisi in two weeks' time if they are to land the remaining automatic World Cup berth from the European section, defeat in that game meaning they have to negotiate the tricky repechage system.

They were never really in contention in this game however, Leinster centre Brian O'Driscoll once again proving his undoubted class with a pair of tries in the first half for coach Eddie O'Sullivan's side, only seven days after their energy-sapping win in Siberia against Russia.

O'Driscoll's Leinster team-mate Denis Hickie got the Irish off to a flyer with an early try, converted by Munster fly-half Ronan O'Gara, who claimed a personal haul of 19 points with the boot before being replaced by Ulster's David Humphreys.

Bath centre Kevin Maggs showed his true barnstorming qualities with a typically robust score to follow two O'Gara penalties, O'Driscoll bagging the first of his brace with a chargedown after some lacklustre Georgian defending.

O'Driscoll claimed his second before fellow Leinsterman Girvan Dempsey crashed over before the break, seeing the Irish through the 40-point barrier after a first half blitz.

The second half early on did not see the pressure relent, the green wave up front allowing Llanelli's Simon Easterby to be the next try-scorer, although replacement centre Vassil Katsadze shocked the crowd by going past O'Gara for the Lelos' first try of the day.

Bessik Khamashuridze restored at least some pride to the visitors when he went over from fullback for their second

With Humphreys on at fly-half, Ireland did however resume normal service towards the end, with back-row Alan Quinlan and replacement scrum-half Guy Easterby both crossing the line to cap off a businesslike performance -- one which was never really in doubt, but one which could have well been more difficult than it transpired to be.

The Georgians could be forgiven for having one eye on their next match against bitter rivals Russia in Tbilisi, which promises to be a truly explosive occasion.

The Teams:

Ireland:  1 John Hayes, 2 Shane Byrne, 3 Reg Corrigan, 4 Gary Longwell, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 6 Simon Easterby, 7 Keith Gleeson, 8 Anthony Foley (c), 9 Peter Stringer, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 11 Denis Hickie, 12 Brian O'Driscoll, 13 Kevin Maggs, 14 John Kelly, 15 Girvan Dempsey
Reserves:  Guy Easterby, Rob Henderson, David Humphreys, Paul Wallace, Leo Cullen, Alan Quinlan, Frankie Sheahan

Georgia:  1 Goderdzi Shvelidze, 2 Akvsenti Guiorgadze, 3 Levan Tsabadze, 4 Vano Nadiradze, 5 Victor Didebulidze (captain), 6 David Bolghashvili, 7 George Chkhaidze, 8 Ilia Zedguinidze, 9 Irakli Abusseridze, 10 Paul Jimsheladze, 11 Badri Khekhelashvili, 12 Kakha Alania, 13 Tedo Zibzibadze, 14 Malkhaz Urjukashvili, 15 Bessik Khamashuridze.
Replacements:  16 Mevlud Mtiulishvili, 17 Tariel Ratianidze, 18 Zurab Mtchedlishvili, 19 Irakli Gundishvili, 22 Otar Barkalaia, 21 Vassil Katsadze, 20 Elguja Iovadze.

Referee:  Williams n.

Points Scorers

Ireland
Tries:  Dempsey G.T. 1, Easterby S.H. 1, Easterby G. 1, Hickie D.A. 1, O'Driscoll B.G. 2, Maggs K.M. 1, Quinlan A. 1
Conv:  Humphreys D.G. 2, O'Gara R.J.R. 5
Pen K.:  O'Gara R.J.R. 3

Georgia
Tries:  Vassil Katsadze 1, Bessik Khamashuridze 1
Conv:  Malkhaz Urjukashvili 2