Written by Jordan Mitchell

Romain Taofifenua looked like he was heading toward the final chapter of his playing career. Instead, the veteran France lock is now set to reverse course — with reports indicating he’s expected to extend his Racing 92 stay on a new two-year deal through 2028.

The 35-year-old second-row — listed at a towering 6’8” and around 138kg — has been a constant physical reference point since arriving in Paris in 2024. He’s been used as a close-range battering ram, a set-piece anchor, and the kind of steady power carrier coaches trust when a match turns ugly.

Why this matters for Racing 92

Racing’s forward balance has been a talking point all season, and keeping Taofifenua for two more years is a direct statement: the club wants experience and set-piece security while it reshapes the squad. It also offers stability at lock, especially with contract questions around other internationals in the engine room.

For Racing supporters, it’s a simple message: the “big man” isn’t walking away — not yet. And if you’ve watched Racing in tight games, you know exactly why that’s a relief.

What Taofifenua has already said goodbye to

This is a club-career continuation, not an international comeback. Taofifenua retired from Test rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, finishing with 59 caps for France. But his domestic value hasn’t dipped — if anything, his role has become even clearer: do the hard metres, own the collisions, and keep the set-piece steady.

The expectation now is that Racing 92 will keep leaning on that formula deep into the 2027–28 window — a rare vote of confidence for a forward heading into his late 30s.

Read more: RugbyPass report on Taofifenua’s retirement U-turn and expected Racing 92 extension