Christopher Tolofua

Christopher Tolofua played a Test for France at eighteen, which for a forward is close to unheard of. Six years later the French federation classified his neck problem as an absolute bar to playing rugby, while he went on playing every week in England, where the same condition was not treated the same way.

Hooker at Montpellier, 1.82m and 120kg, and 32 years old.

Born in Fréjus and of Wallis and Futuna descent, he started at URC Dumbéa and spent six years at Olympique Marcquois before Stade Toulousain finished his schooling. Injuries to the hookers ahead of him opened the door in January 2012, when he came on for William Servat against Connacht. His first start came a fortnight later at the Stade de France, and the hand-off he put on Juan Imhoff that night did the rest.

By June he was a French champion, on in the back row in the Top 14 final against Toulon. Eight days after that final he was playing for France against Argentina. Seven caps have followed in total, spread across 2012, 2014 and 2017.

Saracens took him in 2017 and he won the English title twice in two seasons without playing a great deal. The neck was operated on successfully in February 2018 and made him eligible in France again. Toulon brought him back for five years and a Challenge Cup in 2023, and Montpellier signed him in February 2024 as a medical joker on a three-season deal.

The family is a rugby family. His uncle Abraham propped for Nice, Grenoble, Montferrand and Béziers, his younger brother Selevasio plays back row at Toulon, and his cousin Julia is an international judoka.

A hooker who began as a back-rower and still plays like one in the loose. The lineout throw has never been the strong part.