Georgia international discusses joining the Six Nations

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Now playing for Stade Rochelais, the 23-year-old has already become one of Georgia’s most recognisable rugby stars. His international journey began in 2020 when he was named in the starting line-up for the first time during the Rugby Europe Championship clash with Russia. A year later he scored his first Test try, again against Russia, and his rise has rarely slowed since.

A move to Lyon in 2021 proved to be a turning point. Niniashvili made his Top 14 debut that September against Perpignan and quickly established himself as a key part of the side that went on to win the Challenge Cup, the first European trophy in the club’s history.

His performances earned him a Barbarians call-up to face England in 2022, a remarkable achievement considering he had just 11 caps at the time. By the 2023 Rugby World Cup he was an established presence, starting all four of Georgia’s matches and scoring against Wales.

That experience of facing elite opposition week in, week out has shaped Niniashvili’s perspective on Georgia’s ongoing Six Nations debate.

Recently sacked head coach and former England player Richard Cockerill has long argued that Georgia deserve a play-off for a place in the championship, pointing to their dominance in the Rugby Europe Championship and Wales’ recent struggles.

Georgia have won eight consecutive titles in the REC, and 14 of the last 15 in total. They look set to extend their run, after reaching the upcoming final, where they will play Portugal this weekend.

The discussion continues to rumble on, but Niniashvili preferred to keep his focus firmly on the field when speaking to the What's All The Ruckus? podcast in January.

“It’s not my business to talk about this because I’m on the field, I play rugby and I don’t know what’s happened outside the field or in the field federation of Georgia or Six Nations, I don’t know and I don’t touch them, I just play for Georgia, I love to play for Georgia and I keep calm and play rugby.”

“Yes (it’s frustrating) but we respect the decision, we cannot change it and we play what we get and when we get the opportunities, we are ready for them.”

For Niniashvili, the challenge is not only about prestige but also development. Moving between high-intensity Tests or World Cup fixtures and lower-tier matches can be demanding, both physically and mentally.

“When you get the big matches, against Italy or big teams like South Africa, you see where you are. When you play against them it is difficult to move after the Six Nations B against Switzerland or Netherlands, it is difficult to switch and play Italy and South Africa but we are ready for everything and we get good matches in Top 14 and can bring this energy and our style in Georgia.”