France have called up 6ft 8in, 22st second-row Emmanuel Meafou to train with the squad ahead of their clash against Wales on the final weekend of the Six Nations.
The 24-year-old, who was born in Australia, has been making waves in the Heineken Champions Cup this year with Toulouse, earning a nomination for the Player of the Year award.
He left BT Sport commentator Sam Warburton and viewers stunned in January after smashing into England star Manu Tuilagi and leaving him sprawled on the turf in a match against Sale Sharks.
The towering youngster initially plied his trade in Australian rugby league in his hometown of Ipswich, but transitioned to union. He is now a French citizen, having passed the citizenship tests and exams.
At the moment, Meafou is not qualified to play for France, but will be once the 2023 World Cup has concluded under World Rugby's five-year residency rule. There is huge excitement in French rugby over such a weapon being added to an already formidable pack.
L'Equipe reported yesterday that France have called up 14 players to train with squad ahead of their last match, with Meafou a surprise inclusion given he is not allowed to play.
Meafou was previously targeted by American football scouts and offered a rookie NFL contract, but was determined to pursue a career in rugby, joining the Toulouse academy at the age of 20.
Despite his Australian heritage, the lock told Le French Rugby Podcast back in 2022 that he "wants to play for France", his adopted country.
"France is definitely on my radar and there's been a little bit of discussion around it and I'm working towards getting my passport," he said last year.
"I've been here now for over three years so I would definitely love to play for France."
Now that dream is becoming reality, as the young man has been called up to train with Les Bleus ahead of their clash with Wales.
Wales play Fabien Galthie's men in Paris this Saturday, March 18, at 2.45pm.
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