France's Emmanuel Meafou signs huge deal

France lock Emmanuel Meafou has signed a five-year contract extension with Toulouse, keeping him at the Top 14 champions until 2032.

The 28-year-old was due to come out of contract next summer and had reportedly attracted strong interest from Stade Français, but has instead committed his long-term future to the club he joined from Australia in 2019.

Meafou has become one of Toulouse’s key forwards during his time at Stade Ernest-Wallon, winning two European titles and five Top 14 crowns. He has also established himself with France since becoming eligible in 2023, earning 18 caps and featuring in their 2025 and 2026 Six Nations title-winning campaigns.

His new deal is unusually long by modern standards and will keep him at Toulouse for a year beyond Antoine Dupont’s current contract, which runs until 2031.

“At Toulouse, we started our family. This is home, so we’re staying home,” Meafou said in a video published by the club alongside his partner and two children.

The announcement comes while the second-row is sidelined with a knee injury suffered against Vannes in September. Meafou ruptured the lateral ligament in his left knee and is expected to be unavailable for several months, with a return before the start of 2027 considered unlikely.

The extension represents a significant piece of business for Toulouse at a time of change within their squad. Thomas Ramos is set to leave for Racing 92 at the end of the season, while François Cros is due to join Lyon.

The length of Meafou’s extension also underlines his importance as Toulouse prepare for another major squad turnover next summer.

Further contract decisions also remain on the agenda, with Anthony Jelonch, Cyril Baille and Dorian Aldegheri among the players whose futures still need to be resolved as Toulouse continue planning beyond the current campaign.