At the end of the year the Georgian Rugby Union named Merab Sharikadze the best rugby player of 2014. The 21-year-old player really deserved this recognition. “World Sport” met “Buka” on the second day of the ceremony, December 30.

- Congratulations! How does it feel when you are named the best rugby player in Georgia?

- It is a great honor. I could not imagine it. Now when it is a reality I feel great responsibility. Mamuka Gorgodze, Davit Zirakashvili and others who have been awarded with this title are world stars. Now I have to play like Gorgodze and Zirakashvili and it is tough. I have to work hard.

- Did you expect such recognition?

- In the Georgian national team I play with such rugby players that I did not expect such recognition. I want to thank everybody who helped me. I started playing in “Akademia” and I want to thank each coach who I worked with. I have to do more and standards have increased with this title.

- The Georgian fans love you. How did you manage it?

- It is very tough to answer this question. I feel love from everybody. However, I think the fans love “The Lelos” and I am not the only one. Like every member of the national team, I love my country and the Georgian people most all. I prefer my poor Georgia to any rich country. When I have chance I always come to Georgia. We are abroad to improve our playing class and then we use it in our national team.

- Do you always meet New Year in Georgia?

- I have met all New Year in Georgia before. I want to be in Georgia with my family and friends. I am nobody in France and any other country. Nobody loves me there. I promise after the end of my career I will come back in Georgia and do good to my country.

- How did Merab Sharikadze become the best?

- I lived on Vazha-Pshavela Ave. and started playing rugby in the yard. We watched rugby on TV. My friend’s uncle was a rugby player and we played rugby for fun. One day my friend Nikoloz Gamkrelidze became a rugby player and I also started going in for rugby. “Akademia” greeted me like son and I like this situation. Then, I went to England where I studied and played. One year and half ago I moved to France and now I live there.

- How did you get to England? If not those two years in England, would you have been such a good player now?

- The Georgian Rugby Union signed agreement with Hartpury College. Three rugby players – Giorgi Tkesheliadze, Sandro Nizharadze and I studied and played in England. Iva Davitashvili joined us a year later. I think the years I have spent there had a great influence on me. At first it was tough for me to get used to such speed. After the end of the adaptation period I held some good matches. When the second year started I realized I had to go to somewhere for the improvement. At first I played for the college team with English 7, two Welsh and one Scottish youth teams. We won all matches and became champions of England. I spent the second year in the university team where I did not like the situation. So, I went to France.

- It will be good if young Georgian ruby players will depart for England with such programs.

- Yes, but it is very tough to live in foreign country without salary. At first I made ends meet with money the Georgian Rugby Union gave to me. Then, I was called up for the national team and had income. My family also sent me money and it was very tough for my parents because I am not from rich family. In short, it is very tough period but very useful.

- After England you played for “Elite 2” of France and “Bourg-en-Bresse” which you left in a year and went to “Aurillacois”.

- I arrived in “Bourg-en-Bresse” quite late. I also had chance to transfer to “Montpellier”. Pro D2 is in Top 5 of World best leagues and it is not easy to play there. Unfortunately, “Bourg-en-Bresse” relegated to Federale 1 and I transferred to “Aurillacois”.

- How do you feel in “Aurillacois”?

- Good. Levan Datunashvili, Nikoloz Khatiashvili and Roland Kvachadze also are in this team. I feel very comfortable with them.

- Perhaps, Datunashvili played a key role in establishing in the team.

- Levan helps not only me but all Georgians. He gives us advices. He has a great authority in the team. By the way, Nikoloz has improved playing and Levan played a key role in it.

- Have you improved playing after transferring to “Aurillacois”?

- I think “Aurillacois” has better playing style for me, than “Bourg-en-Bresse”. “Aurillacois” plays offensive rugby. I have scored only one try in one year and half. Hopefully, I will score more.

- Why are not the French clubs interested in the Georgian three-quarters?

- Unfortunately, they think the Georgians are not good three-quarters. I am trying to change their impression. My coaches already think differently.

- Do you have suggestions from Top 14 teams?

- I have signed 3-year contract with “Aurillacois” and I have no other suggestions yet. In summer I had suggestion from “Grenoble” but there were some problems with documents. I had semi-professional contract with “Bourg-en-Bresse”. Now my main goal is to achieve success at World Cup. I believe our national team can achieve success in England. The team which beat Samoa and Japan will play any team for victory.

- Will “Aurillacois” be able to fight for Top 14 this year?

- “Aurillacois” has very poor budget. Program minimum is to play in playoff.

- Your debut in the national team was held against Spain in 2012. How do you recall these 3 years in “The Lelos”?

- Unfortunately, we lost to Spain. It had logical explanation – other players also had debuts in that match. Then we defeated Portugal and have won all Nations Cup since 2012. We celebrated some very important victories in the last 3 years. We won over Romania in 2012. Then, there was victory over Samoa, Japan and Canada. I think these three matches were the best for the national team.

- Which is your best try in “The Lelos”?

- Perhaps, the try against Samoa. It is time for me to score more tries. I scored a good try against Japan but video referee showed it was offside.

- Some players find it very tough to stop you.

- I do not have supernatural strength. I am oriented on victory. I have to work harder.

- You have 28 caps at the age of 21. Will you reach 100?

- Hopefully, I will.

- Our three rugby players, including you, lost consciousness against Ireland and Japan.

- It is wrong technic of tackling and I am working on improving it. I am trying not to make such mistake.

- What should we expect from the 2015 World Cup?

- I only thought about the November test games. Now I am orientated on World Cup. We are in very strong group. It is great challenge to face New Zealand. This match will show our level. In the future we can be in Top 5! Why not?! Right improvement is necessary for that. Our main goal is to win 2 matches in England but it is tough. We have chance against Tonga and we will fight till the end. In short, hopefully everything will be alright.