He is seen as one of Georgia's finest ever rugby players and was voted Georgian sportsman of the year in 2010.

He moved up the leagues to the Top 14 in the 2004/05 season to play with Clermont where he joined his Georgian compatriot Goderdzi Shvelidze.

In 2010, Zirakashvili was voted Georgian sportsman of the year after some crucial performances for both club and country.

[3] He was part of a Georgian scrum which scored three penalty tries and also a pushover try in the calendar year, he also a memorable solo try from 45 metres out against Russia in Trabzon[4] and an important try against Canada.

Zirakashvili was also mentioned as one of the best tighthead props of the year in world rugby by The Daily Telegraph.