Five members of the original Georgian men’s national team will be present at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi on Saturday to witness the Lelos’ 300th international match.

In a way it is fitting that Tonga are the opponents this weekend because one of the team’s proudest days was when they beat the Ikale ‘Tahi at Rugby World Cup 2015.

Aged 18, and 340 days old, Vasil Lobzhanidze became the youngest-ever player to play in the tournament in that match in Gloucester and he starts Saturday’s encounter at number nine.

Lobzhanidze and none of his teammates were born when the Lelos, initially known as the Shevardens (Falcons), first took to the field.

Representing independent Georgia, the team played its first match back in the Soviet era, on 12 September 1989, beating Zimbabwe 16-3 in Kutaisi.

Since then, the team has continued to make steady progress. Of the 299 matches played so far, the Lelos have recorded 187 victories, 10 draws and 102 defeats. Of those matches, 124 were played in Georgia, 118 away from home and 57 at neutral venues.

In 2003, the Lelos made their Rugby World Cup debut and they have since become regular participants in the tournament and will compete at the world’s premier rugby event for the seventh time next year in Australia.

The dominant force in European rugby outside of the Six Nations, Georgia are currently 13th in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, having briefly touched 11th in the past.

Of the original 18-man squad, wingers Bartlome Khamashuridze and Aleksander Khvedelidze, centre Malkhaz Cheishvili, No.8 David Ghudushauri and replacement Gela Pirtskhalava will be present in person at the Avchala Stadium to cheer on the modern-day Lelos.

Given the Lelos haven’t lost to Tonga in the four meetings since that RWC 2015 clash and are unbeaten in their first four Nations Cup clashes, the form book suggests they’ll celebrate the occasion with a win.