Scotland endured a nervy start to their Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign, and although they eventually overcame a feisty Romania 34-24 there was enough evidence in their scratchy performance to give great encouragement of a scalp for European Nations Cup holders Georgia.
Head coach Andy Robinson has rung 11 changes to the starting XV, making it clear that with just 4 days between the two games he is looking to rest players and give fresh ones an opportunity to impress, rather than punish members of an underperforming squad, stating the changes "should not be interpreted as a reflection on our performance against Romania."
Max Evans, Allan Jacobsen, Sean Lamont and Kelly Brown are the only survivors of the huge scare against the Oaks, with Lamont moving out from centre to the wing and Brown reverting back to a more comfortable position of Number 8 from the flank.
Regular captain Alastair Kellock is relieved of his duties as he is rested from the match day squad entirely, so scrum half Rory Lawson assumes the leadership role with Dan Parks taking over at pivot from Ruaridh Jackson.
Elsewhere, Lion Euan Murray comes in at tighthead prop, Nathan Hines and Jim Hamilton lock the second row, whilst Alasdair Strokosch and Ross Rennie man the flanks.
Out wide, Nick De Luca and Graeme Morrison make up a somewhat unspectacular centre partnership and Toulon's Rory Lamont replaces the veteran Chris Paterson at full back.
Georgia come into the game and the tournament on the back of some hugely encouraging form, and 12 of the team that won the second tier European competition back in March start tomorrow night for the Lelos at Rugby Park.
With experience in the backs in the form of Tedo Zibzibadze and Irakli Machkaneli and uncompromising brute force in the pack, epitomised by man-mountain Mamuka Gorgodze, Georgia will be looking to stretch a rattled and unsure Scotland to the very limits and improve upon an 8-match winning streak that stretches back almost a year.
After a hugely encouraging tournament in 2007 that should have reaped a deserved win over Ireland, Georgia will have the determination and desire to put the record straight four years on. The task facing the Scots is whether they have the depth of talent and ability to manage two bruising encounters in four days and come out on top.
Prediction: In what is likely to be an exhibition in 10-man rugby, I'm going to plump with the Lelos causing the first upset of this year's World Cup. Georgie by 2.
Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Max Evans, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Rory Lawson (captain), 8 Kelly Brown, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Al Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Geoff Cross, 18 Alasdair Dickinson, 19 Richie Gray, 20 Richie Vernon, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Chris Paterson.
Georgia: 15 Revaz Gigauri, 14 Irakli Machkhaneli, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Tedo Zibzibadze, 11 Alexander Todua, 10 Merab Kvirikashvili, 9 Irakli Abuseridze (capt), 8 Dimitri Basilaia, 7 Mamuka Gorgodze, 6 Shalva Sutiashvili, 5 Vakhtang Maisuradze, 4 Levan Datunashvili, 3 David Zirakashvili, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 David Khinchagishvili.
Replacements: 16 Akvsenti Giorgadze, 17 David Kubriashvilini, 18 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 19 Viktor Kolelishvili, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 Lasha Khmaladze, 22 Malkhaz Urjukashvili.
