France centre Vakatawa forced to retire over heart concerns

“I got up at 8am this morning and knew I wouldn’t be on the field. The hardest moment was yesterday, in front of my teammates"

RETIRING: Racing 92's Fijian centre Virimi Vakatawa

A heart condition has ended the rugby career of France and Racing 92 centre Virimi Vakatawa.

“He must stop his career [in France] for cardiological reasons,” the Top 14 club’s Sylvain Blanchard explained at a press conference, a day after it was confirmed the medical commission of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby had barred him from playing in France.