Reason for France star Virimi Vakatawa’s forced retirement revealed

Virimi Vakatawa has been forced to stop playing rugby “for cardiological reasons”, Racing 92’s club doctor confirmed at a press conference today.

It was revealed yesterday that the France international has been barred from playing rugby in France on unspecified medical grounds.

In a statement, the Parisian club said that it was “particularly saddened by this terrible news”,

They added: “Racing 92 gives its full support to Vakatawa and immediately puts in place all the measures to support its emblematic player as best as possible in these particularly difficult times.”

Racing confirmed that the medical committee of the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) had forbidden the powerful centre from continuing to play professional rugby in France.

Technically, he could move to another country to continue his career in a similar way to what Christian Eriksen has done in football.

The midfielder was barred from playing for Inter Milan in Italy but has since restarted his career in the Premier League with Brentford and subsequently Manchester United.

However, from the tone of his comments today, the powerhouse seems happy to hang up his boots and live in France.

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