 |
| Birth name | Dimitri Basilaia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 27 November 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 110 kg (17 st 5 lb; 243 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimitri Basilaia (born November 27, 1985) is a Georgian rugby union player who plays for USA Perpignan in the Top 14.
Basilaia left Georgia and joined Clermont, playing for Espoirs. After failing to break into the Clermont first team, he left for Fédérale 1 side Morlaàs in 2008. Basilaia went on to play for four clubs in Fédérale 1 in four seasons, with one season each at Le Bugue, Aubenas and Valence d'Agen. Following his appearances for Georgia at the 2011 World Cup, he was signed by Edinburgh in 2012 [1] and became the first Georgian to play in the Pro12. He joined Perpignan in May 2014. [2]
Basilaia made his debut for Georgia in 2008, scoring a try against Portugal and becoming first choice for the ENC that year. However, after 2008, Basilaia lost his place in the Georgia side as Mamuka Gorgodze changed position from lock to number 8. Basilaia made limited appearances for Georgia, either as a sub or in weakened sides over the next few years.
After not playing for 19 months, Basilaia returned to the Georgian side before the 2011 World Cup in the IRB Nations Cup in June, and made the Georgian World Cup squad. During the tournament Basilaia started three matches and scored a try against England.[ citation needed ]
Nathan Hines is an Australian-born former rugby union and rugby league footballer. He played at international level for Scotland, winning 77 caps, and at club level for Edinburgh, Perpignan, and Clermont Auvergne among others. He also played rugby league.
Union Sportive Arlequins Perpignanais, also referred to as USA Perpignan or Perpignan, is a French professional rugby union club founded in 1933 and based in Perpignan, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. They compete in the Top 14, France's elite division of rugby.
Adam James Eckersley is an English former professional footballer who played primarily as a full-back. He is the older brother of fellow professional footballer Richard Eckersley.
Chris Czekaj is a retired Wales international rugby union player, who played fullback or wing. He most recently played for Merthyr RFC, and spent most of his career with Cardiff Blues. He represented Wales and Wales U21.
Mario Ledesma Arocena is an Argentine rugby union coach and a former international rugby player. He played in Argentina's successful 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign and had a professional playing career in France spanning 10 years. Since retiring he has coached at the highest level in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and was most recently the head coach of the Argentine national team.
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.
Aled Brew is a former Wales international rugby union player who played as a winger. He made his debut for the Wales national rugby union team against Ireland in the 2007 Six Nations Championship. In his career, as well as playing for Biarritz Olympique and Bath Rugby, he is one of only a handful of players to have played for all four top-level regional teams in Wales.
Damien Chouly is a former French rugby union footballer. He played for Brive, Perpignan, and Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14, commonly in the Number 8 position.
Napolioni Vonowale Nalaga is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing, flanker and Centre for London Irish. He is nicknamed Napoleon or Naps or Napo. His father, Kavekini Nalaga also represented Fiji in the 80's and just like his son, he played on the wing.
Simon Hunt is an English rugby union footballer and Director of Rugby for Old Bristolians having most recently played for Dings Crusaders. Simon has played club rugby in England, France and Wales and is known as a prolific try scorer who can also point kick. He also has international pedigree, having played at youth level for England as well as being centrally contracted to the England Sevens squad for the 2011–2012 IRB Sevens World Series. Outside of rugby Simon holds 87th fastest time for a 2000m indoor row. He is now working as a PE teacher.
John Hardie is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played most recently for Newcastle Falcons. Hardie predominantly played as an open side flanker. He represented Scotland internationally between 2015 and 2022.
Mark Robertson is a former Scotland 7s international rugby union player. He is now a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Scottish Rugby Academy.
Wandile Gabada Mjekevu is a South African rugby union player who plays as a center or a wing for Sporting Club Albigeois in the French Top 14 competition.
Sean Dougall is an Irish former rugby union player, and current coach. He played primarily as an openside Flanker but could also play blindside or No.8. Dougall is currently the contact skills coach at La Rochelle in the French Top 14.
John Joseph Hanrahan is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Connacht in the United Rugby Championship. He plays primarily as a fly-half, but can also play as a centre or fullback.
Romain Taofifénua is a French professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Top 14 club Lyon and the France national team.
Vernon Anthony Cotter is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player, who was most recently the head coach of the Fiji national team. He started his coaching career at Bay of Plenty including winning the Ranfurly shield for the first time in the union’s history He was part of the coaching staff for the successful Crusaders side between 2005 and 2006 winning 2 titles, before coaching in France with Clermont Auvergne between 2006 and 2014 coaching them to 6 finals and 2 titles including their first ever bouclier du Brennus coached the Scotland national team from 2014, including a quarter final at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and left his role in May 2017 as his contract was not extended by the Scottish Rugby Union. In January 2020 Cotter was appointed coach of Fiji, but resigned in January 2023. He is currently coaching the Blues and coached them to the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific title.
Mark Stewart Bennett is a Scottish rugby union player who currently plays for Edinburgh Rugby in the United Rugby Championship.
Tommaso Allan is an Italian professional rugby union player who primarily plays fly-half for Perpignan of the French Top 14. He has also represented Italy at international level, having made his test debut against Australia during the 2013 Autumn Internationals. Allan has previously played for Harlequins and Benetton, as well as an earlier stint at Perpignan.
Beka Gigashvili is a Georgian rugby union player. His position is prop, and he currently plays for RC Toulonnais in the Top 14 and the Georgia national team.