Merab Sharikadze, former captain of Georgia's national rugby team, was banned for 11 years for participating in a urine swapping scheme aimed at cheating anti-doping controls, World Rugby revealed in May 2026 [1, 2]. Sharikadze admitted providing "clean" urine samples to teammates on at least five occasions between 2019 and 2023 [1].
The lengthy investigation by World Rugby, named Operation Obsidian, uncovered that Georgia's national testing authority tipped off the team doctor, Nutsa Shamatava, about upcoming tests. Shamatava then shared the information within a team chat to facilitate the substitution [1]. Shamatava, the former chief medical officer, received a nine-year ban from rugby [1, 2].
Beyond Sharikadze and Shamatava, five other Georgian players were banned with suspensions ranging from nine months up to six years for their roles in the doping scheme [1, 2]. The investigation found evidence the urine sample substitutions were intended to conceal the use of recreational drugs such as cannabis and tramadol. World Rugby found no firm evidence that performance-enhancing drugs were involved [1, 2].
Sharikadze played in three pool games for Georgia during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where the team finished last in their pool with one draw against Portugal and three losses [1]. Shortly after the tournament, Sharikadze ended his rugby career, with varying reports placing his age at either 30 [1] or 32 [2]. He debuted as a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter in November 2025 and won his first bout [1].
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said, "This case demonstrates the importance of operating a robust, science-led anti-doping programme with coordinated biological profile analysis, testing and long-term storage functions. Our extensive four-year investigation has helped identify subversion of the doping control process and sends a clear message that World Rugby takes all anti-doping matters extremely seriously and is an unwavering champion of clean sport" [2]. Sharikadze described his situation as feeling like "the earth had swallowed me up" [2].
The Georgian Rugby Union has been charged with misconduct. It must pay an unspecified fine and improve its anti-doping education according to World Rugby [2]. However, the sanction does not affect Georgia's future participation in tournaments, including the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia [2].
