Rugby: Virimi Vakatawa is back on the pitch with the British Barbarians

2023-08-17 12:46:51

Former French international Virimi Vakatawa returns to the field on Friday against Samoa with the British Barbarians, a first since the announcement of his career end in September 2022 for medical reasons. The former three-quarter center of Racing 92 and the XV of France is among the holders expected Friday in Brive, according to the group announced Wednesday by the “Baa-Baas”, nickname of this honorary team selecting players from all countries.

Here’s our lineup to play @manusamoa ????

1. A Seuili
2. J Dweba
3. J Toomoga-Allen
4. JL du Preez
5. R Hugo
6. D Richardson
7. J Lam
8. M Eadie

9. H Jantjies
10. A Fresh
11. H Speight
12. C Rona
13. V They laughed
14. T Fricker
15. T Nanai-Williams#Baabaas #rugby

— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) August 16, 2023

At 31, Vakatawa is therefore preparing to return to competition, admittedly friendly, almost eleven months after the announcement of the end of his career “for cardiological reasons”, as the Racing 92 doctor, Sylvain Blanchard, had then described. .

“Deep down I knew it wasn’t over”

The player had mentioned his return in the columns of The team, last week, explaining in particular his desire to return to the field: “I said it was over, but deep down I knew that rugby, for me, was not over. “Before being enthusiastic for his return:” I am excited, happy. I started going through my stuff to find a mouth guard (laughs). I just can’t wait,” he continued.

The Fijian-born player, once considered the best center in the world, played his last match on July 9, 2022, with the XV of France in Japan (20-15). International 32 times, he also participated in the Olympic Games in 2016 with the French sevens rugby team.