Virimi Vakatawa

Racing 92's French international centre Virimi Vakatawa has been barred from playing rugby in France on unspecified medical grounds.

He had come over to France at the age of 17, and made his Top 14 debut in 2011. Toulon hooker Christopher Tolofua spent two seasons at English Premiership side Saracens between 2017 and 2019 when a neck injury meant he was briefly unable to play in France. The Top 14 club announced on Monday that the medical committee of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby had ruled Vakatawa could not continue his playing career in France, but did not go into further details.

In a statement, the Parisian club said that it was “particularly saddened by this terrible news”, and that “Racing 92 gives its full support to Virimi Vakatawa ...

In June of 2016, he signed a deal with the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) to represent France in both sevens and XVs. He re-signed with the Ile-de-France outfit for the 2017/18 season and became one of their talismans over the next five years. In 2016, he was called up to Guy Noves’ Six Nations squad and scored a try on his international XVs debut against Italy — this despite his having not played the longer code at club level for three years.

Racing 92 and France international, Virimi Vakatawa, has been banned from playing rugby in France by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, due to an unspecified ...

“Racing 92 has just been informed of the decision of the medical commission of the LNR to prohibit Virimi Vakatawa from continuing his professional rugby career in France. "Particularly saddened by this terrible announcement, Racing 92 gives its full support to Virimi Vakatawa and immediately put in place all the arrangements to support its emblematic player as best as possible in these particularly difficult times." Racing 92 and France international, Virimi Vakatawa, has been banned from playing rugby in France by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, due to an unspecified medical issue.

Racing 92 have released a statement which says France centre Virimi Vakatawa will be unable to continue his career due to an unspecified medical issue.

[Top 14](https://www.planetrugby.com/tournament/top-14) or for the national squad due to an unspecified medical issue. [France](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/France) debut in the 15-a-side game in 2016 and has earned 32 caps, with his last coming during their tour to Japan. [Racing 92](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/racing-92) has just been informed of the decision of the medical commission of the LNR to prohibit Virimi Vakatawa from continuing his professional rugby career in France.

Racing 92 have announced today the retirement of France centre Virimi Vakatawa at the age of 30.

However, the ban was lifted after surgery, ushering a move to Toulon. The New Zealand-born France international, who holds Fijian citizenship, earned the last two of his 32 caps this summer against Japan, starting at outside centre in both victories. The [France](https://www.rugbypass.com/teams/france/) centre [Virimi Vakatawa](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/virimi-vakatawa/) has been banned from playing rugby in France. Racing 92’s statement reads: “Racing 92 has just been informed of the decision of the LNR’s medical committee to ban Virimi Vakatawa from continuing his professional career as a rugby player in France. The Parisian club confirmed the end of the 30-year-old’s twelve-year playing career in France after he was banned by the LNR’s medical committee, although a specific reason for the ban has not been revealed.

It's been claimed that the France centre has been forced to quit due to a suspected heart problem.

This example, we must share it with our children and tell them to enjoy each match as if it were the last." "These last three matches were with us in Japan. "When you play high-level rugby, you know that it's something that can happen. READ MORE: Further clarity has now emerged, which has sent shockwaves through French rugby. The statement referenced an unspecified medical condition, but didn't give the actual reasons for the decision.

Racing 92 centre forced to call time on career due to 'cardiological anomaly' discovered in 2019 but which has since 'evolved'

He scored 10 tries for his country after making his debut in 2016 against Italy, and played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Blanchard added that the issue is not rugby-specific and that it could place Vakatawa, 30, "in danger in any kind of high-intensity sporting practice". "Destiny has dictated that Virimi played his last two games for Les Bleus in Japan.

France international Virimi Vakatawa has been barred from playing rugby in the country due to an unspecified health problem.

The Top 14 club said in a statement: "Racing 92 has just been informed of the decision of the medical commission of the LNR to prohibit Virimi Vakatawa from continuing his professional career as a rugby player in France. "Particularly saddened by this terrible announcement, Racing 92 gives its full support to Virimi Vakatawa and will immediately put in place all the arrangements to support its iconic player as best as possible in these particularly difficult times." Vakatawa's club, Racing 92, said the 30-year-old centre had been informed by the medical committee of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby [LNR] that he could no longer play rugby in France.

Vakatawa's club, Racing 92, held a press conference today and revealed that concerns over the France international's heart was behind the LNR's ruling and that the 30-year-old will retire from professional rugby. Virimi Vakatawa retires. The man himself ...

I wanted to pay tribute to you on behalf of the French team.” When we took over the France team, he was a key player in our adventure, in our history. “I would like to thank Racing 92 for allowing me to be here today. “I woke up at eight this morning and knew I that I would no longer be going out on the pitch. I wanted to accompany Virimi, it’s special so I’m very moved. The man himself was speaking at the Racing 92 press conference and admitted that the news was very difficult to take.