Prop Gareth Thomas believes Wales’ World Cup side is a different proposition to the team that lost to Georgia in November 2022.
Thomas, 30, is one of four surviving starters from the team beaten 13-12 by Georgia in Cardiff in what proved to be Wayne Pivac’s penultimate match.
Warren Gatland took over as head coach from Pivac and has guided Wales to the World Cup quarter-finals.
“We are a completely different team to what we were last year,” said Thomas. “It’s the time we have spent together and amount of work we have put in together.
“You can’t fault the amount of effort that has gone in this summer, and the confidence within the team at the minute is something I haven’t felt before. We are in a good place.”
Wales have reached the knockout stages in France with a group game remaining following victories against Australia, Fiji and Portugal.
Gatland’s side need one match point against Georgia in Nantes on Saturday to top the pool and set up a quarter-final against probably either Argentina or Japan in Marseille on Saturday, 14 October.
Ospreys prop Thomas has been one of the unsung heroes after starting against Fiji and Australia and making 37 tackles in the tournament, with only co-captain Jac Morgan having made more for Wales with 44.
“There’s been a massive improvement in the squad but we know Georgia are a very good side and we have to be on top of our game to be successful this weekend,” said Thomas. “We have come a long way since the start of the summer, but we know this week will be a big test for us as well.
“We want to keep the momentum going we’ve had over the last few weeks here. We are trying to hold on to that and push and grow as a team as we go forward to the quarter-finals.”
Georgia have yet to pick up a victory in the tournament with defeats against Australia and Fiji and a draw against Portugal.
They impressed in the 17-12 defeat by Fiji last weekend and Thomas is expecting a tough set-piece challenge.
“They are such a physical side,” said Thomas. “With the set-piece stuff, we know they are going to come strong in the scrum, that’s won them the game against us in the autumn last year.”
