Rugby: Why can Virimi Vakatawa, former French international, play for the Fiji team?

Virimi Vakatawa, 32-time player for the French XV team and previously banned from playing rugby in France due to a cardiac anomaly, has been called up by Fiji.

The former French international, Virimi Vakatawa, who faced a career setback due to a heart problem in 2022, has been included in an extended squad to compete in the Nations Championship this summer with Fiji, his federation announced on Monday.

At 34 years old, Vakatawa had played in 32 games for France between 2015 and 2022 before being prohibited from playing in France due to a progressive heart anomaly. After a year-long break, the former Racing player resumed his career in England with Bristol.

Engaged with the Fijian Drua

Following an independent examination by a group of leading sports cardiologists, Vakatawa was given the green light to return to play, as announced by the English club in September 2023.

Fiji have selected Virimi Vakatawa (with 31 France caps, last in 2022) and Nathan Hughes (22 England caps last in 2019) for their wider squad for the Nations Championship.

And being engaged with the Fijian Drua, a club in the Super Rugby Championship, allows him to change his sporting nationality under a rule adopted in November 2021. To be eligible under this new rule, a player must not have been selected for their original national team for 36 months (three years) and must have a connection to the country they wish to represent.

As Vakatawa’s last selection for France was more than three years ago and with his Fijian heritage, World Rugby rules permit him to switch his allegiance and play for Fiji.

The squad will be trimmed to 32 players two weeks before Fiji’s first match in the Nations Championship on July 4 in Cardiff against Wales. Fiji will then play against England on July 11 in Liverpool, followed by Scotland in Edinburgh on July 18.