Georgia courageous in loss to Wales

Wales claimed their first win of the November internationals with an unconvincing 13-6 victory over Georgia.

Warren Gatland made 14 changes to the side beaten 29-21 by Australia last time out, retaining only Liam Williams, and his overhauled team produced a disjointed performance at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

Hallam Amos’ first-half try proved the difference as Rhys Priestland and Soso Matiashvili traded two penalties apiece.

However, Wales were forced to withstand a barrage of late pressure from Georgia, and will hope for a much improved display against the All Blacks next week.

FULL TIME ⏱ WAL 13-6 GEO. @GeorgianRugby put up a huge fight in Cardiff this afternoon, but a youthful Wales claim the win. Cystadleuaeth hynod o galed prynhawn yma yn @principalitysta. #UASeries pic.twitter.com/ThzMIHpdUP

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 18, 2017

Priestland kicked the visitors ahead in the seventh minute after Levan Chilachava was penalised for not releasing the ball in the ruck.

It took Warren Gatland’s team until the 20th minute to make the try-scoring breakthrough, Priestland finding Amos in space to cross out wide, thanks in no small part to a defensive error from Giorgi Koshadze.

Priestland added the extras and his side were denied a second try six minutes later by the television match official, the ball having moved forwards when Nicky Smith’s determined tackle forced a turnover.

Georgia managed to get on the board through Matiashvili, who kicked a penalty in the 29th minute after an infraction by Wales in the scrum.

Matiashvili then booted Georgia to within four points five minutes after the restart, only for Priestland to quickly answer and keep the gap at a converted try.

Georgia had a number of chances to draw level as they earned a series of scrums close to the Wales line.

Tomas Francis’ yellow card led to a lengthy delay late on as Wales did not have enough props to contest a scrum, but they held on nonetheless.