Former France international Virimi Vakatawa, who could make his FIJI Water Flying Fijians debut against England this Sunday, says he never imagined he would play international rugby again after a heart condition brought his France career to an abrupt end.
The 34-year-old centre earned 32 caps for France before he was barred from playing in the country in September 2022, after a panel of doctors determined that his cardiac condition had deteriorated, making it unsafe for him to continue playing elite rugby in France.
Although the ruling ended his international career with France—where he featured prominently, including at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and in the Six Nations—it only applied to rugby in France.
Vakatawa later joined English club Bristol Bears after being medically cleared by the club's specialists, before signing with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in January this year.
He has now been called into the Flying Fijians squad as a replacement for Semi Radradra, who suffered a knee injury during Fiji's defeat to Wales last weekend.
Vakatawa is eligible to represent Fiji under World Rugby's birthright eligibility rule, which allows players to switch national teams after a three-year stand-down period if they, a parent, or a grandparent were born in the country they wish to represent.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Vakatawa says he never thought he would play international rugby again.
He says he was surprised when he received the call-up, adding that representing Fiji is a great honour because of the country's wealth of rugby talent.
Vakatawa says it is a privilege to be part of the Flying Fijians environment.
The Flying Fijians will face England at 1.10am Sunday at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In other international fixtures this weekend, New Zealand will play Italy at 5.05pm Saturday at Sky Stadium, Australia will host France at 7.40pm Saturday in Brisbane, and Ireland will take on Japan at 10.10pm Saturday.
On Sunday, South Africa will face Scotland at 3.10am in Pretoria, while Wales will meet Argentina at 7.10am in San Juan.
Source: BBC
