Former Georgia national rugby union team captain Merab Sharikadze has been banned from all sport for 11 years after admitting his role in a secret anti-doping cover-up involving national team players.
The investigation, led by the World Anti-Doping Agency, uncovered a system in which players allegedly used substituted urine samples to avoid failing drug tests.
Sharikadze, who captained Georgia during the 2023 Rugby World Cup and famously led the side to victory over Wales national rugby union team in Cardiff in 2022, admitted providing “clean” urine to fellow players.
Five other Georgian players were also punished. Hooker Giorgi Chkoidze received a six-year suspension, while Lasha Khmaladze, Otar Lashkhi and Miriani Modebadze were banned for three years each. Lasha Lomidze was suspended for nine months.
World Rugby Investigation Exposed Testing Irregularities
World Rugby began investigating after spotting irregularities in player samples ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
According to findings, officials from Georgia’s national testing authority allegedly warned team doctor Nutsa Shamatava about upcoming drug tests. The information was then reportedly shared with players through a team group chat.
Historical samples dating back to 2019 were later retested, revealing five confirmed cases of sample substitution involving Sharikadze and other players.
World Rugby believes the scheme was mainly used to hide recreational drug use rather than performance-enhancing substances.
Several Banned Players Featured At 2023 Rugby World Cup
Sharikadze played in three pool-stage matches during the 2023 Rugby World Cup for Georgia, who finished bottom of their group after a draw with Portugal national rugby union team and defeats to other opponents.
Wing Modebadze started against Australia national rugby union team in the tournament opener before being replaced by Lashkhi because of injury.
Khmaladze also featured in Georgia’s defeat to Wales, while Chkoidze withdrew from the World Cup squad shortly before the tournament began.
Sharikadze retired from rugby shortly after the World Cup at the age of 30 and later switched to mixed martial arts, winning his debut MMA bout in November 2025.
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