Virimi Vakatawa: French centre not allowed to play in France because of heart condition

Vakatawa was a member of France's Grand Slam winning side in 2021

France and Racing 92 centre Virimi Vakatawa is not allowed to play in France because of a heart condition, say his club.

The 30-year-old Fiji-born player missed Saturday's Top 14 season-opening win against Castres.

Racing said then that the French National Rugby League (LNR) had demanded his retirement.

However, Vakatawa is only barred from playing in France and it is unclear whether he would try to play abroad.

"It's hard for me to talk in front of everyone," he told a news conference on Tuesday.

"I got up at 8am this morning and I knew I wouldn't be on the pitch. The hardest thing was to tell my team-mates yesterday that I had to stop playing."

Racing doctor Sylvain Blanchard, a member of the French League's medical commission said that Vakatawa has a condition, first detected in 2019, which would be likely to put him at risk playing high-intensity sports.

"When he was being monitored, it became clear during the last examinations that his pathology had evolved, so much so that cardiological experts were called in to assess the situation," Blanchard added.

"The opinions were unanimous: we should not take the risk of letting him continue to practise high-intensity sports."

Vakatawa has won 32 caps and last played a Test match for France in the victory over Japan in July.

He struggled with a knee injury last season and did not feature in his country's Six Nations Grand Slam win earlier this year.

France coach Fabien Galthie, who also attended the news conference, was emotional as he paid tribute to the player.

"He was a key player in our adventure, in our history, he was great," he said. "The last three matches were with us in Japan. He has been great again.

"We have to share this example with our children and tell them to enjoy each match as if it were the last."

Racing have said that they will give Vakatawa their full support.