| Date of birth | June 13, 1982 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 113 kg (249 lb; 17.8 st) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Avtandil "Avto" Kopaliani (born 13 June 1982) [1] is a Georgian rugby union footballer, currently playing in the top French professional rugby league, the Top 14, for the Aviron Bayonnais club. [2] He previously played for another French club, the US Montauban. His usual position is tighthead prop.
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Aviron Bayonnais, commonly called Bayonne, is a French rugby union club from Bayonne in Pyrénées-Atlantiques which, for the 2016-17 season, competed in the top tier of the French league system, in the Top 14 competition. In the 2015–16 Rugby Pro D2 Season they were promoted after finishing 2nd and winning the playoff final against Aurillac. In the 2016-2017 season, they finished in last place, and will be relegated back to Pro D2 for the 2017-18 season. Founded in 1904, they play at the Parc des Sports also known as Stade Jean-Dauger in Bayonne. Their mascot is a pottok pony called pottoka. They have ties to the French Basque community.
RC Carpentras XIII are a semi-professional rugby league club based in the city of Carpentras, Vaucluse in the south of France. Formed in 1938, they play in the Elite Two Championship in France, which is the 2nd tier. Their home ground is the Stade de la Roseraire.
Stuart Fielden is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He was formerly an assistant coach for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League, and now is a Personal trainer of Fielden Fitness in Leeds. A Great Britain international representative forward, he played his club rugby for Bradford Bulls with whom he won the 2001, 2003 and 2005 Super League Championships, 2000 and 2003 Challenge cups and World Club championships in 2002, 2004, 2006 before he moved to Wigan Warriors for a record transfer fee in 2006, winning the 2010 Super League Championship with them. He then signed with Huddersfield Giants in 2013 but played only a handful of games (9) before injury forced him into retirement. Fielden won 2 individual awards of young player of the year (2000) and International best forward (2005).He was named in 4 super league and 4 International dream teams.
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Davit Zirakashvili is a former Georgian rugby union player. He played most of his career for Clermont in the top French professional rugby league, the Top 14. He played as a tighthead prop. He is seen as one of Georgia's finest ever rugby players and was voted Georgian sportsman of the year in 2010.
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Karena Wihongi is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays as a prop, and has "a reputation for powerful scrummaging courtesy of his hefty 19st 9lb, 6ft 1in frame." He previously played his club rugby for the Aviva Premiership side Sale Sharks, to whom he was signed in 2010. He came from former French clubs Oyonnax Rugby and CS Bourgoin Jallieu; he is a French qualified player based on residency. The Sale Sharks' coach stated that "He was on my priority list as soon as I was appointed and was delighted when he signed on the dotted line." He currently plays for Castres Olympique in the Top 14.
Benjamin Vainga Charles Tameifuna is a professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for Top 14 club Bordeaux Bègles. Born in New Zealand, he represents Tonga at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.
James Johnston is a New Zealand rugby union player of Samoan descent who currently plays for Ampthill RUFC (2023-2024) and has represented Samoa. He has played club rugby for Wasps, Harlequins and Saracens in the then Aviva Premiership. He plays at tighthead prop. He has represented Samoa. Johnston lived in Surbiton whilst playing for Harlequins, before making the move to St Albans upon signing for Saracens in 2013. He started for Harlequins in their 2011–12 Premiership final victory over Leicester Tigers.
In June 2013, France played a three-test series against New Zealand as part of the 2013 mid-year rugby test series. This was the sides' first encounter since they met in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, which New Zealand won 8–7. It was France's first test series against the All Blacks since their 2009 two-test tour of New Zealand, which ended in a 1–1 draw.
Mihăiță "Mihai" Lazăr is a Romanian rugby union player who plays as a prop for Liga Națională de Rugby club SCM Rugby Timișoara. He also played for the Romania national team, The Oaks.
The 2006 Barbarians rugby union tour was a series of matches played in May–June 2006 in by Barbarians F.C. They played against Scotland, England and, for the first time, against Georgia.
Rory Sutherland is a Scottish professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for French Top 14 club Oyonnax and the Scotland national team.
