Australia's wannabe France lock Meafou ineligible for upcoming rugby World Cup

The federation had asked the sport's governing body, World Rugby, that Meafou be given clearance to play for Les Bleus at the September 8-October 28 World Cup in France.

But the lock, born in New Zealand to Samoan parents who moved to Australia when he was two, fails to meet residency criteria upped to five years from three by World Rugby in 2022.

Meafou touched down in Toulouse in December 2018, meaning he would only be eligible from the 2024 Six Nations Championship.

The giant second-row forward, standing 2.03m tall and weighing in at 145kg, was not part of the initial 42-strong World Cup squad called up by France coach Fabien Galthie.

But Galthie had hoped to be able to add Meafou, who has committed his future to France, ahead of the World Cup.