Georgia half-clear the corner and Robbie Brady's follow-up cross is straight into the keeper's hands. Time running out.

Image source, Reuters

The Irish have another corner. It might be James McClean and Robbie Brady in central midfield. Maybe Jon Walters. I have no idea what's going on.

Cyrus Christie plays a risky backpass to Darren Randolph, who clears just before Valeri Qazaishvili charges him down.

The visitors have a corner as James McClean has a shot from the right side of the box but it's parried wide by Georgi Makaridze.

Here comes the second Irish change, striker Daryl Murphy replaces Glenn Whelan. Both of the central midfielders who started the game are off now. No idea what the formation is going to be.

The Irish are hanging on a bit now. James McClean is running into some challenges - a red card walking?

Image source, PA

James McClean boots the ball away after the referee has awarded a free-kick. Yellow card. Frustration showing there.

Giorgi Kvilitaia heads wide from a 16-yard header. Was an ambitious effort.

Georgia make a change, Giorgi Chanturia replaces Jaba Jigauri.

I'm surprised Wes Hoolahan hasn't come on yet.

Shane Long is down after getting barged in the back. No free-kick. Georgia counter but the visitors get the ball back.

Now here comes Aiden McGeady on the run. The winger, earning his 91st cap (not a typo), charges 50 yards at least but slams his shot into a defender.

Robbie Brady then has a 20-yard effort parried by the keeper. This is more like it from the visitors. Much better.

I'm covering Spain v Italy after this, I'm expecting a slightly different type of game...

A rare, rare chance for Shane Long. The Irish break at pace - for once - James McClean feeds Cyrus Christie, whose cross is headed over by an unmarked Long.

Tim: This performance would make you question why you watch football

Image source, PA

What was that? Good play by Cyrus Christie down the right initially but then he crosses and nobody is in there.

Serbia still lead Moldova 2-0, meaning they would be two points above the Irish at the top.

This would give Wales and Austria the chance to close the gap on the Republic to two points when they meet at 19:45 BST.

Juliette Ferrington
BBC Radio 5 live at Cardiff City Stadium

The Austrians are definitely outnumbered in the pub but there's a real good vibe pre-match outside.

Had a chat with Tom and Darren, who are both confident of a win tonight.

Tom says: "We went out to France for the Euros so the thought of going to Russia is almost as exciting. We need to win tonight and then take it to Moldova on Tuesday. We have tickets for the game next month against Republic of Ireland and that's the biggie."

Shane Duffy comes forward for the free-kick. HIT THE BIG MAN. They did aim for him but Georgia get it clear. They attempt to counter but James McClean slows it down.

Image source, Reuters

James McClean is a proper nuisance when he gets going, Jaba Jigauri brings him down and is booked.

Here comes Aiden McGeady for Harry Arter. This will mean a bit of a switch as that's a winger for a central midfielder.

Can McGeady provide some much-needed magic for them? The last time these sides met here, he scored a last-minute winner.

Harry Arter has a shot now but his 20-yard volley is straight at the keeper after Georgia only half-cleared a Cyrus Christie throw-in.

Shane Duffy almost gets on the end of Robbie Brady's corner but can't quite get his head onto it. It says a lot that the Brighton defender is their only attacking threat.

Some of these stats would make you weep, if you were a Republic fan. James McClean has completed two of his four passes. Glenn Whelan's six successful passes have all been to Harry Arter and the two centre-backs.

Only 20.3% possession. They have a corner now though.

Image source, Reuters

It's warm - but not roasting - in the Georgian capital Tblisi, about 24C. Georgia have a corner but they have no Shane Duffy of their own to aim for and the ball eventually goes out for a throw-in.

When does Wes Hoolahan come on? Because he will definitely be introduced at some stage.