Top 14

Cazenave blocked from playing rugby after losing eye

ESPN Staff

Florian Cazenave's comeback bid has received a setback © Getty Images Enlarge

Perpignan scrum-half Florian Cazenave has had his rugby comeback blocked by the French Rugby Federation after he lost an eye last year.

Cazenave sustained the injury in a domestic accident in July and after a lengthy period of rehabilitation he was hopeful of playing rugby again. But the French Rugby Federation has (FFR) has blocked these plans.

"The FFR rules are very clear: when you've lost a bilateral organ, there is a formal prohibition against practising rugby," said the FFR medical commission president Jean-Claude Peyrin. "It is therefore impossible for Florian Cazenave to play rugby again in France, whether in the Top 14 or in the fourth division, as he cannot obtain a licence."

The IRB is currently testing special glasses which could see partially sighted players allowed to wear them during games but the FFR will not sanction these at present.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd