Expect to see New Zealand-born, Australia-raised Emmanuel Meafou in a France squad as early as next year in time for the start of the next phase of the Galthie era, preparing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The news will, no doubt, delight the French coaching team, who have had to wait longer than he had hoped for his next big second row thing – Toulouse’s 6ft 7ins (2.03m), 22st 12lbs (145kg) mobile wall – but the penultimate, specifically French, piece of the puzzle is about to drop into place.
International retirements are almost guaranteed at the end of a World Cup. Romain Tao...