Another Fijian has pledged his allegiance to play for the French 7s team when the 2017/2018 World Sevens Series kicks off in Dubai this weekend.
Tavite Veredamu will make his debut for France in the Dubai 7s.
No‑one could accuse him of flying the flag of convenience.
The powerful flanker left Fiji when he was 18 to join the French Foreign Legion, where he serves in the mobile infantry regiment.
He has seen active service in Syria and was also twice stationed at Zayed Military City in Abu Dhabi, where the Legion had a training base between 2011 and 2016.
Veredamu says it is an honour for him to join the French team and is looking forward to the challenge.
Meanwhile, former Fiji Airways Men’s 7s coach Ben Ryan, who is a consultant for French Rugby says Veredamu is ready for this weekend.
France is pooled with England, Scotland and Spain in Pool B.
Meanwhile, Fiji is in Pool C with Australia, Wales and Russia.
Fiji will take on Russia at 7.06pm this Friday in their first game, they will then face Wales at 10.06pm Friday before facing Australia at 4.06am Saturday in their last pool match of the Dubai 7s.
The Medal quarterfinals will start at 6.30pm Saturday, the semifinal will be held at 1.19am Sunday while the final will kick off at 4.33am Sunday.
South Africa are the defending champions.
Fiji has only won the Dubai 7s title twice which was in 2013 and 2015.
We have lost out in the final seven times.
