"What was I going to solve, me, at 21 years old?": the story of Nikoloz Narmania's improbable selection for Russia

Although born in Moscow and holding dual nationality, Nikoloz Narmania feels "100% Georgian." " These are my roots, my upbringing, my country. Russia is part of my history, but I am proud to be Georgian."

However, Nikoloz Narmania made a surprising decision in 2022, responding positively to the requests of the Russian Federation.

"I was 21 years old, I was in the U21s at Carcassonne, the Russian national team called me regularly, and I refused because I hoped to one day be called up by Georgia. But the months passed, and while my contract with my club was coming to an end, I had to show myself..."

After some delay, the right-hander finally realized: "My chance wasn't with "Carca", and if I wanted to be visible, I had to play the Six Nations B Tournament."

Nikoloz Narmania then recalled the Russian Federation, agreed to participate in the 2022 Tournament and made his debut against Spain on February 12 of that year. Except that twelve days later, Russia invaded Ukraine.

A shock for the new international who, at the age of 21, made a courageous decision: to leave the national team.

" In this context, it was inconceivable for me to continue playing for Russia." An " inevitable" choice for the Georgian who, three years later, looks back on this episode.

"I'm a rugby player, not a politician"

"Do I regret it? No. Firstly, because on a sporting level, these twenty days in Russia gave me renewed motivation, allowed me to show myself, and I ended up getting my chance with Carcassonne. But, since I imagine that's the question, what do you want me to tell you about the geopolitical level? I'm a rugby player, not a politician. When I made the decision to join the national team, relations between Georgia and Russia seemed to have calmed down, I didn't know that everything would change a few days later. And anyway, what was I going to resolve, me, at the height of my 21 years? I was just a young man who needed to show himself and who was being offered the chance to play at international level..."

In any case, this cap will remain "Naro's" one and only... at least with Russia. "I haven't played for three years and I'm now eligible for Georgia. So the Russian national team is over for me, but maybe not my international career. The decision is not up to me, but I dream of representing my country..."