France have embarrassingly been forced to drop David Smith from their squad ahead of their Friday night clash with Wales after discovering that he is not eligible to represent the nation.
The French Rugby Federation have been left red-faced after the debacle as the Samoan-born winger believed he had managed to earn his first call-up as France head coach Guy Noves looks to bolster his injury-depleted squad.
But only hours after the announcement the 29-year-old informed French officials that he had previously represented New Zealand at the 2008 Edinburgh Sevens, therefore making the Castres star ineligible despite playing his domestic rugby in the country since 2011.
As reported by Sky Sports, the FFR claimed that they had a document declaring that Smith was eligible but the winger claimed otherwise as he met up with the squad at their training camp in Marcoussis:
On his arrival, David revealed to us he played in 2008 at Edinburgh in the international Sevens tournament for New Zealand.
Because of this fact, David Smith isn’t eligible for selection for the France XV according to international rules and will be released from the squad on Monday morning.
Noves originally intended to rely on Smith and Stade Francais winger Djibril Camara as replacements for the injured Marvin O’Connor and Teddy Thomas who both suffered injuries whilst on club duty over the weekend but the 62-year-old will now have to select another replacement in place of the ineligible Smith.
