Ex-Georgia skipper Sharikadze banned for 11 years for role in doping scandal

2020: Stuart McCloskey of Ireland is tackled by Merab Sharikadze of Georgia during the Autumn Nations Cup match. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Former Georgia captain Merab Sharikadze was one of six players handed lengthy bans from rugby for their part in a scheme involving alleged sample substitution and advance warnings of drug tests, British media reported.

Sharikadze has been banned from the sport for 11 years while hooker Giorgi Chkoidze has been banned for six years, the BBC reported.

Lasha Khmaladze, Otar Lashkhi and Miriani Modebadze each received three-year suspensions while Lasha Lomidze was banned for nine months.

A joint probe conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and World Rugby revealed six Georgia rugby players and a team official had committed anti-doping rule violations.

WADA said they found five instances where players allegedly swapped urine samples to avoid detection while employees of Georgia's national anti-doping agency GADA also tipped off players about upcoming tests.

World Rugby said the investigation was triggered when "irregularities in urine samples were identified" by their athlete passport management programme.

It covered a period of time prior to the 2023 men's Rugby World Cup in France, where Georgia finished bottom of their pool without a victory.

Sharikadze has since retired from rugby and made the switch to Mixed Martial Arts, making his debut in November with a win.

Meanwhile, Gerard Mullen has been named as Connacht's backs coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Kildare native Mullen joins Connacht from Harlequins, where he has spent the last six years as a key figure within their coaching setup.

Mullen first made his mark at Harlequins in 2021 when, as head coach of the women’s team, he led them to an Allianz Premier 15s title in his debut season. 

He then moved to the lead bttack and backs coach in the academy and transition space before joining the senior coaching team in 2023.

Mullen replaces Rod Seib, who will leave the club for a new opportunity overseas at the end of the campaign.

Elsewhere, Karl Dickson will officiate the Investec Champions Cup final between Leinster and Bordeaux Bègles on Saturday, May 23 in Bilbao.  It will be Dickson's first final appointment.  

Additionally, Matthew Carley will take charge of the EPCR Challenge Cup final between Montpellier and Ulster on Friday, May 22.