France lock Romain Taofifenua comes out of international retirement

France second row Romain Taofifenua has decided to come out of his international retirement ahead of the upcoming Six Nations campaign.

The 33-year-old announced his decision to quit Test rugby post the home Rugby World Cup campaign which ended with a quarter-final defeat to South Africa.

He played in all five games for France in the World Cup and started in the encounter against Uruguay. He has overall featured in 49 Test games for the Les Bleus.

“What’s certain is that I played my last World Cup in France,” he told French newspaper Le Progres.

“But after the brutal end we experienced, and with a bit of hindsight, it’s hard to say ‘stop’.

“I’ve had a lot of discussions recently with (forwards coach) William Servat. So, we’ll see.

“If the French national team needs me, I’ll be there.”

France will kick-start their Six Nations 2024 campaign with a clash against Ireland at Orange Velodrome on 3rd February.