Europe 1 with AFP 3:45 p.m., September 05, 2022
The 3/4 center of Racing 92 Virimi Vakatawa is forced to stop his career for medical reasons, indicated the Ile-de-France club without specifying the nature.
The 30-year-old has 32 caps with the France team.
His last match dates back to July 9 and a victory for the Blues against Japan.
The center of the XV of France and Racing 92 Virimi Vakatawa is forced to stop his career as a rugby player at the age of 30 for medical reasons, announced the Top 14 club in a press release.
"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," said Racing 92, without giving further details. .
Press release - Virimi Vakatawa
— Racing 92 (@racing92) September 5, 2022
Vakatawa (30 years old, 32 selections) did not play the 1st day of Top 14, played on Saturday.
His last match will therefore remain a 20-15 victory in Japan with the XV of France.
In club, he has not played since May 15, 2022 and a defeat in front of La Rochelle (20-13).
Overtaken in the hierarchy in the France team
Vakatawa's last season was interspersed with numerous injuries, particularly to the knee.
Indisputable holder of the Blues of Galthié, he had not participated in the Grand Slam of the XV of France during the last Six Nations Tournament, the first since 2010.
The Fijian-born player has two European Cup finals on the clock but had lost his starting spot in the blue jersey, overtaken in the hierarchy by Jonathan Danty or Yoram Moefana.