Top UK team signs Georgian rugby player

A Georgian rugby player has been signed with one of Great Britain’s top rugby teams on a deal until the end of the season.

Hooker Shalva Mamukashvili, who played in the Georgian national rugby team in the recent Rugby World Cup, joined Glasgow Warriors.

Watch a tribute video to mark his deal with the UK club.

The experienced hooker spent last season with British club Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership but will now go straight into Glasgow's 41-man European squad.

The 25-year-old Georgian has 35 caps for his country and featured in all four of Georgia’s Rugby World Cup pool games in England this year.

He played 11 matches for the Sale Sharks last season, including three European Rugby Champions Cup games.

BREAKING: Georgian international hooker Shalva Mamukashvili (@ShadreM) signs until end of the season #WelcomeShalvapic.twitter.com/ctUQ8rtDsL

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) November 11, 2015

Mamukashvili told the Glasgow Warriors’ website: "Last season I watched the European Rugby Champions Cup and GUINNESS PRO12 and I know the Glasgow Warriors are a really good club. I think they are one of the best in Europe.”

"Playing against Argentina and New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup was a great experience and something which will help me at the Warriors.”

"I arrived in Glasgow 10 days ago and all the players have been really welcoming. Glasgow have a lot of international players, with around half of the Scotland team playing at Scotstoun and it's a very professional team and I feel very good here."

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: "We’re delighted to be able to add Shalva to our squad for the rest of the season, ahead of our European Rugby Champions Cup campaign.”

"Shalva is a very experienced hooker who has been playing international rugby for the last four years and played well for Georgia against the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup. He was also at Sale Sharks last season playing at high level in the English Premiership and Champions Cup.”

"He came down to Cardiff at the weekend and has been training with us for over a week so he’s ready to play if selected.”