Racing 92 lose Naituvi for five Top 14 matches

Racing 92 will begin their Top 14 campaign without Wame Naituvi after the winger received a five-week suspension. The sanction rules him out of the club’s opening five fixtures and delays his competitive return until October. His absence is disciplinary rather than injury-related.

Naituvi was dismissed in the 31st minute of Racing’s pre-season meeting with Brive on 21 August after kicking an opponent. Racing lost that match 38-31. The standard punishment for the offence was eight weeks, while his previous record could have pushed the penalty to nine. His admission of responsibility and expression of regret helped reduce the final sanction to five weeks, agreed with the player and the club.

The 30-year-old Fiji international cannot play before 6 October. Racing’s first five matches are away to Bordeaux-Bègles, Lyon and La Rochelle, followed by home fixtures against Bayonne and Perpignan. His expected return is at Toulon on 10 or 11 October.

Naituvi joined Racing in 2023 after six seasons with Mont-de-Marsan in Pro D2. He has made 37 appearances for the Paris-area club and scored 16 tries, including five in 10 matches last season. Racing extended his contract through June 2028 in May, despite interest from Biarritz.