Amos: Wales ready for Georgia's "World Cup final"
Andrew Baldock -
Hallam Amos scored a late consolation try against Australia (David Davies/PA Wire)
Hallam Amos believes that Saturday's Principality Stadium clash against Wales will be like a World Cup final for Georgia.
And Dragons back Amos, who is set to start in a much-changed Wales team, says the world-ranked number 12 nation cannot be taken lightly.
In two years since the 2015 World Cup, Georgia have beaten Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Canada twice and the United States, and still harbour hopes of Six Nations entry.
And it is against such a back-drop that they will relish a first game against Wales in their history, complete with a possible 50,000 crowd.
When the countries meet again, it will be as 2019 World Cup pool rivals in the City of Toyota Stadium, Japan.
"They get a bad rap with people talking (only) about their big pack, but they also have some good players along their back-line and bring a kicking game," Amos said.
"It will be a different challenge to Australia, but we can't take them lightly, and we will definitely go in fully focused to follow our systems.
"It was the same with Uruguay (against Wales) at the last World Cup. For them, it was their World Cup final, and this will be the same for Georgia.
"Playing at the Principality Stadium will be an incredible experience for them. They will be really fired up, and we have to deal with that.
"We don't want to still be in a dog-fight at 60 minutes. A good start will be key for us. It's a massive game for them - their World Cup final.
"I think there will be a few changes this week, but we can't let the occasion get to our inexperienced players."
Amos scored a late try against the Wallabies as Wales suffered a 13th successive defeat in the fixture.
He was a second-half substitute on that occasion, but he is likely to start on Saturday, potentially alongside players like his Dragons colleagues Cory Hill and Leon Brown, Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland and Cardiff Blues hooker Kristian Dacey.
And Wales will also have a new outside centre after it was confirmed that Jonathan Davies' foot injury suffered late in the Australia game will require surgery, meaning a probable six month lay-off.
"Injury is part and parcel of rugby, but it was gutting for him," Amos added.
"He has come off a strong year and was unlucky not to be nominated for world player of the year. He has been on fire for us, the Lions and the Scarlets.
"He is a strong individual but I am sure he will come back even stronger."