Bachuki Tchumbadze

Exeter Chiefs completed the signing of Georgian international prop, Bachuki Tchumbadze, ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The 23-year-old front rower moved to Devon to play his club rugby outside of his native Georgia for the first time in his young career.

He follows in the footsteps of loosehead prop Nika Abuladze who was the first Georgian to play for Exeter Chiefs when he made 13 appearances during the 2023/24 season.

Born in Tbilisi in 2001, Tchumbadze made his international debut for Georgia this year at just 23-years-old. The prop was handed his debut against over the Netherlands in February as the Georgians secured a confident 40-7 Rugby Europe Championship victory.

On club duty, Tchumbadze has been a part of the Black Lion set-up since the outset of his professional career, representing them in the EPCR Challenge Cup and the Rugby Europe Super Cup. His performances in 14 appearances earned him international selection and he is touted as an emerging talent for the Georgians.

An uncompromising scrummager and confident with ball in hand in open play, he is an intriguing prospect to have amongst the Chiefs pack.

Chiefs forwards coach Ross McMillan had been tracking the prop's career since he played U19 for Georgia, keeping a close eye on his progress with Black Lion and the national team.