The Black Lion

The name of the franchise has several inspirations. The players of the national team are sometimes nicknamed the lions, in reference to an (unofficial) anthem of the national team, which says: "freedom is the property of the lions". Also this is similar to the Georgian Rugby Union's slogan, "Freedom is a lion's destiny". The second inspiration comes from Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani, one of whose most famous works is the painting "Black Lion".[3] The club logo is a reinterpretation of the lion's face.

The franchise was created in 2021 to participate in the Rugby Europe Super Cup. It is owned by the Georgian Federation, which employs the players. All the players are without clubs or playing in the Georgia league (Didi 10). Players are made available to Didi 10 clubs when they have no obligations with their franchise, up to a limit of 4 per club. Georgian club joins into Currie Cup First Division since 2022.[4]

The Black Lion squad for the 2021–2022 Rugby Europe Super Cup season is:

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union Goga Khuroshvili Hooker Georgia Shalva Mamukashvili Hooker Georgia Tengiz Zamtaradze Hooker Georgia Nika Abuladze Prop Georgia Goga Kadaria Prop Georgia Nikoloz Khatiashvili Prop Georgia Davit Lazviashvili Prop Georgia Mikheil Oragvelidze Prop Georgia Nika Pataraia Prop Georgia Giorgi Pertaia Prop Georgia Mikheil Babunashvili Lock Georgia Nodar Cheishvili Lock Georgia Davit Gigauri Lock Georgia Ioseb Gusharashvili Lock Georgia Lasha Jaiani Lock Georgia Tornike Akubardia Back row Georgia Nika Aptsiauri Back row Georgia Luka Ivanishvili Back row Georgia Sandro Mamamtavrishvili Back row Georgia Giorgi Tkhilaishvili Back row Georgia

Player Position Union Giorgi Begadze Scrum-half Georgia Luka Matkava Scrum-half Georgia Tengiz Peranidze Scrum-half Georgia Giorgi Babunashvili Fly-half Georgia Davit Modzgvrishvili Fly-half Georgia Guram Kandaurashvili Centre Georgia Lasha Lomidze Centre Georgia Merab Sharikadze Centre Georgia Demur Tapladze Centre Georgia Otar Lashkhi Wing Georgia Mirian Modebadze Wing Georgia Sandro Svanidze Wing Georgia Akaki Tabutsadze Wing Georgia Sandro Todua Wing Georgia Lasha Khmaladze Fullback Georgia Soso Matiashvili Fullback Georgia

• Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.

• Georgia national rugby union team
• Rugby union in Georgia
• Tbilisi Caucasians