Former Georgia captain and Rugby World Cup star Merab Sharikadze has been handed a staggering 11-year ban from rugby following a major anti-doping investigation.
The centre, who won more than 100 caps for Georgia and featured at three Rugby World Cups, received the heaviest punishment of six players sanctioned following an investigation into a urine-sample substitution scheme.
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Sharikadze represented the Lelos at the 2015, 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, captaining his country at the latter two tournaments.
His mammoth suspension immediately puts him among the longest bans ever handed out in rugby.
However, the former Georgia skipper isn’t No.1.
From biting and eye-gouging to Bloodgate and some truly shocking acts of violence, rugby has produced some enormous suspensions over the years.
RUCK takes a look at the longest bans in rugby history, ranked from 10 to 1.
#10. Johan Le Roux – 18 months
Former Springbok prop Johan le Roux was handed an 18-month suspension after biting the ear of All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick during a Test in Wellington in 1994.
The incident effectively ended his international career.
#9. Richard Nones – 2 years
Colomiers prop Richard Nones received a two-year suspension following an eye-gouging incident against Pontypridd during the 1999 Heineken Cup.
His appeal against the punishment was later rejected.
#8. Julien Caminati – 33 months
French back Julien Caminati was handed a huge suspension after spitting at a referee while playing in France.
It wasn’t the only disciplinary controversy of Caminati’s career, but it resulted in one of the longest bans handed out in French rugby.
#7. Bruno Andres Doglioli – 3 years
Bruno Andres Doglioli was banned for three years following a shocking incident involving referee Maria Beatrice Benvenuti during an Italian club match in 2016.
The Argentine-born player blindsided the official with a forceful hit, with the incident attracting widespread condemnation.
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#6. Dean Richards – 3 years
One of rugby’s most infamous scandals.
Former England number eight Dean Richards received a three-year coaching ban for his role in Harlequins’ notorious Bloodgate scandal.
Richards admitted orchestrating the use of fake blood to facilitate a tactical substitution during Quins’ Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster in 2009.
