Samoan-born, New Zealand Sevens player David Smith's international career with France was unsurprisingly short.
The 29-year-old Toulon winger was named in Guy Noves' extended squad for next week's Six Nations game with Wales in Cardiff. It was assumed Smith qualified for France by residency after joining Toulon in 2011.
#XVdeFrance Voici le groupe France pour la match face au Pays de Galles, vendredi 21h! #PDGFRA #soutienslexv pic.twitter.com/JMh1O5E6sJ
— FF Rugby (@FFRugby) February 21, 2016
Smith spent most of his playing career in New Zealand, starring for Auckland, Wellington and Taranaki at various stages in his career. He failed to break into the All Blacks set-up but did play for their Sevens team in 2008.
Despite Smith donning the New Zealand jersey, the French Rugby Federation assumed the Toulon player was eligible to feature against Wales. AFP journalist Jeremy Marot claimed on Sunday evening that the FFR had proof that Toulon player was eligible.
@simonrug @Renvoiaux22 he seems to be eligible. FFR have a letter from World Rugby dating from 2013 saying he is. They'll double check tom.
— Jeremy Marot (@JeremyMarot) February 21, 2016
Smith's French career was over almost as quick as it began with Marot revealed that France had subsequently found out he was not eligible.
David Smith pas éligible avec le XV de France. Son remplaçant annoncé lundi matin #AFP
— Jeremy Marot (@JeremyMarot) February 21, 2016
It's surprising that France deemed Smith was allowed play for them in the Six Nations. It's not like there was any photographic proof of him playing for New Zealand. Oh wait...
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
