The Future is Bright: Saba Meunargia (Third year academy)
Third year academy member Saba Meunargia
I was born in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia. I was 12 years old when my family planned to move to Ireland, which has become our second home.
It was Marist College where I first started my rugby under coach Charlie Cooper. From there I joined Buccaneers U-14s and later Connacht. My time in Marist College and Buccaneers RFC has been unforgettable and I've enjoyed every second of training and working with my team-mates and coaches. Winning the Senior Cup with Marist for the first time in 35 years was amazing. Balancing school and rugby was one of the challenges, but with the help of teachers like Michael Loftus and others, I overcame it and went on to enrol in NUI Galway which ensures I'll have a qualification after my rugby career. My time in Connacht Rugby has been full of learnings - both in a rugby sense as well as life outside it.
Favourite Connacht game: The European Challenge Cup match away to Bayonne, in which I was first capped for Connacht and we also came away with a last-gasp win in France.
Most memorable game I have played in: Definitely the schools cup final win for Marist College against Sligo Grammar. A huge day for my school and me!
Favourite ground: I have always enjoying playing at the Sportsground. It's our home ground and the atmosphere is amazing on match days. The Connacht supporters are definitely special, and you can feel that on the pitch which gives the team huge motivation.
Date of birth: 29/04/1994
Place of birth: Tbilisi, Georgia
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 122kg
Position: Tighthead prop
Club: Buccaneers
School: Marist College, Athlone
University/College: Arts degree in NUIG
International honours: : Ireland U-18s schools, U-19s
Other sports played: Soccer, judo and swimming
