Australian giants are desired for the French RWC team via an eligibility loophole

The French RWC team Federation (FFR) is putting together documentation to show the lock is eligible to play for Rugby World Cup. Currently, according to the global governing body's change in eligibility rules on residency grounds, Meafou, who stands 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs more than 22 stone, will not be permitted to represent Les Bleus until the 2024 Six Nations, keeping the lockout of rugby's championship on home soil later this year.

The 24-year-old may, however, follow the lead of Folau Fakatava, who was last year retrospectively permitted to play for the All Blacks by World Rugby, as work is being done behind the scenes at the FFR. Despite being eligible for the All Blacks since late 2020, the New Zealand scrumhalf never received a cap.

Eligibility requirements for the RWC

After the French RWC team amended its residence eligibility requirements from three to five years in 2022, he unexpectedly found himself out of a Test rugby match. The FFR is attempting to demonstrate that Meafou, who enrolled in Toulouse's academy in December 2018, meets France's immediate eligibility requirements for the same reasons.

Meafou, who would be competing alongside Thibaud Filament, Paul Willems, and Cameron Woke for a spot in France's starting XV, said, "I would love the French RWC team. "A lot of paperwork is being completed in the background, but as of right now, I am not qualified to represent France RWC 2023 at the Rugby World Cup.

I will undoubtedly be eligible for the Six Nations in 2024, but not at this time. However, there is a tonne of paperwork being done with the rule change from three to five years, which is the same [as Fakatava], and we are working to pass that. We will check to see if that alters.

A possibility exists.

Meafou, who was a key player in Toulouse's Champions Cup triumph against the Sharks on Saturday, has sworn complete allegiance to his new country and, in doing so, has rejected the opportunity to play for Australia. Eddie Jones still made contact despite this.

The 24-year-old's dominant performances caught the head coach of the Wallabies' attention. Meafou, who was born in New Zealand, stated, "I had a fantastic chat with Eddie. He wanted to retrace his steps and find me. I informed him that because of my dedication to France, this was now my home.

I have almost been here five years, so whether I participate in the World Cup or not, I am devoted to France. All the best to Australia. I grew up there, so I'll always consider it home, but for rugby and as a means to give back to my country, France, I'd like to represent them on a major scale.

Fabien Galthié, the head coach of the France Rugby World Cup, simply wants me to keep doing what I am doing on the pitch and working hard off the ball. I am currently focusing on improving myself and doing well in Toulouse. That is where my attention is right now because I believe we can succeed in both the Top 14 and the European Cup.

Approved paperwork of Rugby World Cup players

There is still a lot of rugby to be played before the paperwork is approved, so I will not start thinking about the French RWC team.

Meafou's rugby career thus far has been about as rags-to-riches as professional journey experiences go, with two of the world's most powerful nations squabbling over his services. The lock started his rugby career in the league before transferring to the union at the age of 16. Rugby World Cup fans can buy France Rugby World Cup Tickets from our website.

-I was not very good, but when no professional contract materialized in Sydney, the NFL came knocking. Meafou was chosen to participate in a combine and train for three months in Florida in preparation for the draught. However, Toulouse and Meafou's agent was aware of the lock's skill with the oval ball and did not want the such enormous potential to go to waste.