Georgia head coach Milton Haig© Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

KINGSTON PARK, Newcastle -- There was a touch of irony about Georgia's first World Cup warm-up game taking place on one of the nation's most celebrated days. While many back home enjoyed the festivities of Saint Mary's Day, known locally as 'Mariamoba', their national rugby team suffered a 27-7 defeat to Newcastle Falcons - and a stern wake-up call.

After three months spent in gruelling training camps based in Georgia and Poland, it was time for Milton Haig's side to get back to playing rugby. However, in front of a sparse Kingston Park crowd, it was not a night of celebration for the Lelos, but one of frustration.

Rustiness was prevalent, but that was to be expected after three months without high-intensity rugby. Movement across the backs was disjointed and even the famous Georgia scrum was having an off-night. Set pieces were easily overturned, which will no doubt cause concern with the World Cup opener against Tonga just three weeks away. But, for all of Friday's misgivings, there were signs that Haig's free-flowing philosophies had sunk in.

For the 2,355 spectators, though, the evening started with traditional Georgia. With a powerhouse front row of Zura Zhvania, Shalva Mamukashvili and Davit Kubriashvili, it was a matter of minutes before the home faithful was exposed to the full velocity of a Georgian hit. Stade Francais prop Zhvania sent Chris Harris tumbling backwards with a thumping challenge, drawing gasps from the crowd. Blindside Giorgi Tkhilaishvili clattered through Rob Vickers and the Falcons fans groaned some more.

Haig's charges, captained by the towering frame of Mamuka Gorgodze, were out to impress. For their head coach, it was the final chance to cast eyes ahead of Monday's looming World Cup squad deadline. But for all of their weight going forward, Georgia lacked composure and penetration when it mattered.

It proved costly; after a scrappy opening 17 minutes, the Falcons maul drove deep into Georgia territory and Richard Mayhew grounded over the line for the night's first try. Two worrying scenes for Haig followed when, within six minutes of each other, both wing Giorgi Pruidze and Zhvania left the field through injury.

As the sun set across Tyneside, Georgia's frustration rose. Scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze was shown a yellow card for a needlessly late challenge on Tom Catterick shortly before the break.

However, despite trailing 5-0 at halftime, the small pocket of visiting fans remained in good spirits. A lone Georgia flag swayed high in the northern wind as the travelling contingent took photographs of their surroundings.

The second half began as the first had ended for Georgia. Newcastle prop Scott Wilson jinked through their backline far too easily, but failed to finish the move. It wouldn't matter; a minute later fly-half Tom Catterick was on hand to ground in the corner following a five-metre scrum.

While Newcastle's second try was hard-worked, their third like a hot knife through butter. Brute force was Georgia's downfall; the defence was too easily drawn into the Falcons' driving maul and Alex Tait had the simplest of finishes from the offload. However, there was slim consolation when Craig Willis missed both conversions.

A rare lapse in concentration from Newcastle allowed the mountainous Gorgodze to squeeze through and score under the posts on 52 minutes - but a lapse is all it was. Newcastle hit back ferociously as Georgia, ranked 13th in the world by the IRB, struggled to cope with the Aviva Premiership side's slick movement.

Following another stolen lineout, George McGuigan scored a fourth try for the hosts before Chris Harris added late gloss with a superb burst from the midfield. While Newcastle celebrated a near-perfect night, Georgia and Haig will have plenty to ponder ahead of their clash with Japan on Friday.