Zurab Zhvania Bio
Zurab Zhvania is a Georgian rugby union player born on 23 September 1991 in Poti, Georgia. A versatile forward, he is comfortable playing both loosehead prop and hooker at the highest level of the sport. Since 2013, he has represented the Georgia national rugby union team, earning caps in international competition.
Standing 1.79 m tall and competing at around 125 kg, Zhvania brings a powerful physical presence to the front row. His professional career has taken him from his native Georgia to top club competitions in France and England, and most recently to Major League Rugby in the United States. He is currently signed with the Chicago Hounds.
Early Life and Background
Zurab Zhvania was born and raised in Poti, a port city on the Black Sea coast of Georgia. Growing up in a country with a strong rugby tradition, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed through local youth structures. His early physical attributes and work rate in the forward pack quickly marked him out as a prospect for higher-level competition.
As a teenager, Zhvania played for the youth team based in Poti, the city where he was born. His development continued at Aia Kutaisi, another Georgian club, where he played during the 2009-2010 season. These formative years in Georgian rugby helped him refine the scrummaging and set-piece skills that have defined his professional career.
Path to Professional Rugby
In 2010, Zhvania moved abroad to join the academy system at Stade Français in Paris, one of France’s most established rugby clubs. The transition from Georgian youth rugby to the demanding environment of the Top 14 gave him exposure to elite coaching, advanced training facilities, and high-level competition. He spent two seasons developing in the Stade Français pathway before being promoted to the senior squad.
His progress in Paris was steady, and he became part of a senior roster that competed at the top of French rugby. The experience of training alongside international forwards and playing in front of large crowds prepared him for the next stage of his career. By 2012, Zhvania had signed his first senior professional contract with Stade Français, beginning a career that would eventually take him across several major leagues.
Zurab Zhvania Career
Early Career at Stade Français (2012-2018)
Zurab Zhvania began his senior professional career with Stade Français in 2012, having come through the club’s academy system. Based in Paris, he played in one of the most competitive domestic leagues in world rugby, facing top international front rows week after week. The experience of regular Top 14 rugby helped him develop the consistency and physical conditioning required of a modern prop.
During his six seasons in Paris, Zhvania established himself as a dependable forward capable of playing both loosehead prop and hooker. His time at Stade Français coincided with the club’s continued presence among the leading sides in French rugby, and he gained valuable exposure to European club competition. By the time he departed in 2018, he had developed into a seasoned professional ready for a new challenge in the English Premiership.
Wasps Era (2018-2021)
In 2018, Zhvania made the move to England, signing with Premiership Rugby side Wasps. The transition to English rugby brought a different style of play, with an emphasis on set-piece dominance, breakdown physicality, and high-tempo ball movement. He slotted into the Wasps forward pack and quickly became a regular contributor at loosehead prop.
His three seasons at Wasps coincided with a competitive period for the club, which remained among the leading sides in the English Premiership. Playing at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Zhvania faced some of the toughest front rows in the northern hemisphere. He also continued to represent Georgia internationally during this period, balancing club and country commitments. His spell at Wasps ended in 2021 when he moved on to the next stage of his career in France.
FC Grenoble (2021-2023)
Zhvania returned to French rugby in 2021, joining FC Grenoble in the Pro D2, the second tier of French professional rugby. The move provided him with an opportunity to take on a leading role in a forward pack and contribute to a club with ambitions of returning to the top flight. His experience from the Top 14 and Premiership made him a valuable addition to the Grenoble squad.
During his two seasons in the Alps, Zhvania played a key role in Grenoble’s forward efforts, particularly in the set piece. The Pro D2 offered a different kind of challenge, with promotion battles and intense regional rivalries. After the 2023 season, he concluded his time at Grenoble and prepared for a new opportunity in a growing rugby market.
Chicago Hounds Era (2024-Present)
In 2024, Zhvania signed with the Chicago Hounds of Major League Rugby, becoming part of the league’s growing international footprint. The Hounds, based in the United States, represent one of the most ambitious franchises in a competition that continues to attract experienced international players. His signing added significant front-row pedigree to the Chicago roster.
The move to Major League Rugby marked a fresh chapter for Zhvania, allowing him to compete in a developing league while contributing to the growth of the sport in North America. As a Georgian international with experience in two of the world’s top leagues, he brings leadership and know-how to a franchise that is still building its identity. He is expected to remain with the Hounds through the 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Zhvania is known for his physicality in the scrum, a fundamental requirement for any prop at the professional level. His ability to play both loosehead prop and hooker provides coaches with valuable flexibility in selection and game-day tactics. At 1.79 m and around 125 kg, he combines a low center of gravity with the leverage and power needed to compete against heavier modern front rows. His experience across multiple leagues has also made him tactically aware in the set piece and at the breakdown.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Zhvania’s career came on 9 March 2013, when he made his international debut for Georgia against Spain in the European Nations Cup. The match marked the beginning of his journey as a senior international, a status he has held continuously since then. His move to the Chicago Hounds in 2024 also represents a milestone, as he became part of a new generation of established internationals helping to raise the profile of Major League Rugby.
Zurab Zhvania Career Highlights
Across his career, Zhvania has competed in the French Top 14 with Stade Français, the English Premiership with Wasps, the French Pro D2 with FC Grenoble, and Major League Rugby with the Chicago Hounds. In addition, he has represented Georgia in international competition since 2013, making him one of the most traveled Georgian forwards of his generation. His career path reflects steady progression through increasingly competitive leagues.
International Highlights
Zurab Zhvania debuted for Georgia on 9 March 2013 against Spain in the European Nations Cup and has remained part of the national squad structure since. Playing in the front row, he has contributed to Georgia’s efforts in European competition and in the broader international calendar. His combination of club experience and international service has made him a respected figure in Georgian rugby.
Zurab Zhvania Family
Personal Life
Public information about Zurab Zhvania’s personal and family life is limited. He is known to have been born in Poti, Georgia, and to have begun his rugby journey in his home country before moving abroad as a teenager. Beyond these widely reported details, additional family and personal information has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 Major League Rugby season, Zurab Zhvania remains part of the Chicago Hounds squad, continuing his role in the front row. The Hounds are expected to build on their progress from the previous season, with Zhvania’s experience in the Top 14 and Premiership offering a steady presence in the set piece. His versatility across loosehead prop and hooker gives the coaching staff flexibility in selection throughout the campaign.
On the international stage, Zhvania remains available for Georgia as the national team continues its program of fixtures in the European Nations Cup and other competitions. His ability to balance club commitments in the United States with international duty speaks to his professionalism and conditioning. As the 2025 season progresses, Zhvania will aim to remain a reliable contributor for both the Hounds and his country.