Virimi Vakatawa forced to call it quits in France due to a medical condition

France international Virimi Vakatawa's rugby career in France has come to a swift end.

Racing 92 announced on Monday that the centre has been banned from playing rugby in France due to an undisclosed medical condition.

The TOP 14 club released a brief statement confirming the news, it read: "Racing 92 has just been informed of the decision of the LNR's medical committee to ban Virimi VAKATAWA from continuing his professional career as a rugby player in France"

"Particularly saddened by this terrible announcement, Racing 92 gives its full support to Virimi Vakatawa and immediately put in place all the arrangements to support its emblematic player as best as possible in these particularly difficult times."

The club confirmed that their president Jacky Lorenzetti, France coach Fabien Galthie, Racing 92 GM Laurent Travers and Vakatawa will hold a press conference on Tuesday to provide further clarity.

The New Zealand-born centre is of Fijian heritage and made his mark in France with the sevens side before breaking into the test squad in 2016. Since then, he has earned 32 caps for the national side scoring 10 tries.

He has also been a regular for Racing 92 since joining the club back in 2017 and has made well over 100 appearances.

Depending on the nature of his condition, Vakatawa may be able to continue his career elsewhere.

Christopher Tolofua was also banned from rugby in France and went on to join Saracens, after a successful surgery he was able to return to France and represent Toulon.

The French hooker had sustained a spine injury and as a result, the French medical staff had classified the condition as a G3 in severity – a technical classification which ruled him out of playing professional rugby in France.