Georgian rugby star Shalva Mamukashvili joins Sale Sharks

A Georgian national rugby player competing abroad has joined English Aviva Premiership side Sale Sharks for the new season.

Georgian hooker Shalva Mamukashvili, 23, currently plays for the Georgian side Armia. He was named as the replacement for Tommy Taylor who was ruled out of the game for six months after suffering a knee injury playing for England against the Barbarians.

Officials at Georgia’s Rugby Union believed it was a great achievement for the Georgian sportsman to gain a contract with the Aviva Premiership club.

"This is a big success for Georgian rugby player, hooker Mamukashvili to continue his career with the Sale Sharks, who play in the Aviva Premiership – the top domestic club competition in England,” a representative from Georgia’s Rugby Union said.

"Mamukashvili is classic hooker who will be tasked with bringing his brand of aggression to the Sharks.”

Mamukashvili, who has 22 caps for Georgia, was the first Georgian rugby player to play in the Aviva Premiership.

"Shalva is very abrasive and aggressive in defence," director of rugby Steve Diamond was quoted as saying on the club’s website.

"He speaks fluent English and will also have Vadim Cobilas and Andrei Ostrikov to help him settle in."

Sale will begin the new season with a home game against Bath on September 6.