Georgian Prop Joins Ulster On Short-Term Deal

Les Kiss is currently without three frontline tighthead props, so Ulster’s operations director Bryn Cunningham has moved quickly to work with the IRFU to recruit the 28-year-old Anton Peikrishvili.

Peikrishvili has played club rugby in France since the 2007/08 season, having represented Agen, Castres Olympique, Brive and Bayonne. Between 2010 and 2014 he was a key member of Castres’ Heineken Cup squad, starting 12 games in the competition during that period.

He made his Test debut for Georgia back in 2008 and he has gone on to earn a total of 23 international caps.

Kiss welcomed the news that Peikrishvili would be on board for the next few months and he was grateful to the IRFU for their assistance.

“It’s a challenging period with Wiehahn Herbst, Ricky Lutton and Jonny Simpson currently unavailable due to injury, so it was important for us to explore what short-term options were open to us,” explained the Ulster director of rugby.

“Bryn has moved with speed to recruit Anton and I would like to thank the IRFU for their expediency and flexibility in allowing us to bring in this support. During these discussions we shared our desire to give young Academy props, such as Ross Kane and Craig Trenier, opportunities to represent the senior squad.

“Anton is an experienced player who will provide us with extra cover in a very important position. The Georgians are traditionally very strong scrummagers and Anton is no different in this regard. For a big unit he is pretty mobile and he will be able to contribute around the park, which is important for the style of rugby we wish to play.”

ANTON PEIKRISHVILI – PROFILE:

Position: Prop
Age: 28
Date of Birth: 18/09/1987
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 121kgs
International Honours: Georgia (23 caps)
Former Clubs: Agen, Castres, Brive, Bayonne