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| Date of birth | 14 September 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Mont-de-Marsan, France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 135 kg (298 lb; 21 st 4 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Willy Taofifénua (father) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Romain Taofifénua (born 14 September 1990) is a French professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Top 14 club Racing 92 and the France national team. [1]
Taofifénua's rugby career began in 2005, while playing for Limoges. He later moved to play for Clermont in the 2007–08 Top 14 season. However, Taofifénua failed to make any appearances for the senior side, and signed with USA Perpignan for the 2008–09 Top 14 season. Despite signing in 2008, he didn't receive his first appearance for the club until 20 August 2010, during the 2010–11 Top 14 season. In that season, he made 3 appearances for Perpignan. In the 2011–12 Top 14 season, he became a more consistent player in the team, making 23 starts in 28 appearances. Most notable, a 34–20 win against defending champions Toulouse. After the 2013–14 Top 14 season, where Perpignan were relegated, Taofifénua signed with Toulon, who were both European and Domestic champions. His first Toulon appearance came on 15 August 2014 against Bayonne, in a 29–15 victory.
Romain has played in all age grade levels for France, having represented the U18s, U19s and U20s. It was when playing for the U20s in the 2009 Six Nations Under 20s Championship when he first caught the eye of Perpignan selectors. Haven performed well for Perpignan in 2010, he was selected for the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship, playing in 3 matches - against Ireland and Argentina twice. He was one of five try scorers in the 5th place play-off, whom was won by France 37–23. [2]
Taofifénua was selected for the French senior side for their 2012 tour to Argentina, and made his first appearance in an uncapped game for XV du Président against Serge Betsen's XV on 6 June 2012. [3] He made his first official test appearance a week later, coming off the bench for Yoann Maestri in the 74th minute.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 February 2015 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland |  Ireland | 18–11 | 18–11 | 2015 Six Nations |
| 2 | 14 February 2021 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France |  Wales | 5–0 | 32–30 | 2021 Six Nations |
| 3 | 10 March 2024 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | Wales | 24–35 | 24–45 | 2024 Six Nations |
Taofifénua is the son of Willy Taofifénua who used to play for FC Grenoble, and the older brother of Sébastien Taofifénua, who also started his career with Union Sportive Arlequins Perpignan. He is of Wallisian heritage. [4]
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