Quick Read
- Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli is officiating the Scotland vs England Six Nations match on February 14, 2026.
- His high-profile appointment has drawn attention to a 2016 incident where he was stabbed in the leg after a club match in Georgia.
- The stabbing occurred following a dispute over timekeeping which led to a dramatic draw and accusations of cheating.
- Amashukeli considered quitting rugby after the assault but made a full recovery and continued his officiating career.
- He became the first Georgian to referee a Tier One international match in 2021 and officiated at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
EDINBURGH (Azat TV) – Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli is set to officiate the highly anticipated Six Nations Calcutta Cup match between Scotland and England at Murrayfield on February 14, 2026. This prominent assignment has cast a renewed spotlight on a harrowing incident from his past: a 2016 match in Georgia that ended with Amashukeli being stabbed in the leg.
The violent encounter occurred after a Didi 10 fixture, Georgia’s top rugby flight, between Armia and Batumi. A dramatic late equalizer by Armia followed a critical miscommunication regarding timekeeping between Amashukeli and the Batumi captain. Amashukeli had informed the captain that four minutes remained, but the captain misheard and believed it was two. When Batumi kicked the ball out after two minutes, Amashukeli continued the game, allowing Armia to win a penalty and kick it to draw the match. This turn of events ignited fury among the home team players, who accused the referee of cheating. Their emotional outburst fueled the crowd, leading to a scuffle after Amashukeli left the pitch, during which he was stabbed in the leg. Blood poured from the wound, and the perpetrator was never identified, according to reports from Express.co.uk and WalesOnline.
The Traumatic Incident That Almost Ended a Career
The 2016 stabbing left Amashukeli with a severe injury and led him to consider abandoning his nascent refereeing career. He later recounted the incident, describing the intense atmosphere that escalated quickly into violence. Despite the physical and psychological trauma, Amashukeli made a full recovery and chose to continue his journey in rugby officiating, a decision that has seen him rise to the sport’s highest echelons. His resilience in the face of such a life-threatening event underscores a deep commitment to the game he loves.
Amashukeli’s Journey to Elite Rugby Officiating
Born in Tbilisi in 1994, Nika Amashukeli initially harbored a passion for football before embracing rugby at the age of 11, reportedly at his father’s insistence. He played for Georgia at youth level, even being named in the squad for the 2012 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship. However, a series of injuries, including five concussions, a fractured ankle, and a knee injury, forced his retirement from playing at just 20 years old. His enduring love for the sport prompted him to transition into refereeing.
Amashukeli’s officiating career began in 2015 with his Test debut in a European Nations Cup Third Division fixture between Montenegro and Estonia. His ascent was swift, including assignments at the 2019 World U20 Championship in Argentina and working alongside his idol, Wayne Barnes, during the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup. In July 2021, he made history as the first Georgian to officiate a Tier One international match, overseeing Wales versus Canada. His Six Nations debut followed in 2022, when he took charge of Ireland versus Italy, an appointment that moved him to tears. He also officiated a marquee encounter between the Springboks and Ireland, a game he described as having ‘unbelievable’ physicality.
Current Six Nations Assignment and Global Recognition
Now, at 31 years old, Amashukeli is a seasoned international referee. His current appointment to the Scotland vs. England Calcutta Cup match is one of several high-profile fixtures he has overseen. He officiated at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a long-held dream, and also took charge of England’s 26-25 victory over France in 2025 and last season’s Champions Cup final between Northampton Saints and Bordeaux Begles, as reported by The Sun. England, led by Steve Borthwick, enters the Calcutta Cup clash having demolished Wales in their opening Six Nations encounter, while Scotland suffered a defeat to Italy, setting the stage for a fiercely contested match under Amashukeli’s arbitration.
The heightened attention on Nika Amashukeli’s past, particularly the 2016 stabbing, during a major international fixture like the Calcutta Cup, serves as a stark reminder of the unique pressures and potential dangers that elite sports officials can face, even far removed from the playing field. His journey from a near career-ending assault to officiating one of rugby’s most historic rivalries exemplifies extraordinary resilience and dedication.