Merab Sharikadze

Merab Sharikadze (born 17 May 1993) in Tbilisi, Georgia, is a Georgian rugby union player currently playing for Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne in the Pro D2.

Early career

Merab Sharikadze began rugby in Tbilisi with the club 'Academia'. Aged just 16, he is called up to Georgia U18 team. In 2011, thanks to a partnership between the GRU and Hartpury College, Merab Sharikadze goes in England to learn and play for Hartpury College R.F.C.. Thanks to his strong performances, he is called up to play for Gloucester U19. The same year, he was named Georgia U19's captain. He made his full international debut the 21 February 2012 against Spain, aged only 18 as the all time 7th youngest Georgian international.

Professional career

In September 2013, Merab Sharikadze joined the French side Union Sportive Bressane, just promoted in Pro D2, the French second division. The team finished on the bottom of the table and was relegated. Sharikadze signed to another Pro D2 side, Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne and joined them during the summer 2014. At international level, the inside centre played his first game against a Tier1 nation in November 2014, against Ireland at Lansdowne Road. He showed his defensive skills, making 22 tackles during the game.

References

http://tier2rugby.blogspot.fr/2014/03/the-georgian-backline-hope-merab.html
http://www.thescore.ie/georgia-ireland-centre-irish-coaches-1778472-Nov2014/
http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/player/160271.html
http://www.lerugbynistere.fr/videos/video-merab-sharikadze-casse-quatre-plaquages-samoans-donne-victoire-georgie-2611131828.php