Ex-France forward Diarra dies at 36

Paris - Former France back-rower Ibrahim Diarra has died at the age of 36 following a heart attack, sources close to the player told AFP on Wednesday.

Diarra, who made his only Test appearance against Italy in 2008, had been in a Paris hospital in a critical condition since Friday after having suffered a cardiac arrest.

Those near to the former Top 14 champion said he then suffered numerous strokes which had caused irreversible brain damage.

Diarra started his professional career with Montauban before spending seven seasons with Castres, where he won the French title in 2013 and retired five years later.

"I am devastated that he could go so soon. We will always remember his smile, and an eternal memory of a great rugby player. My most sincere condolences to the family and those close to Ibrahim Diarra," the French Rugby Federation's president Bernard Laporte said on Twitter.

Diarra's former coach at Montauban, Laurent Travers also paid tribute to him.

"He brought laughter and a ray of sunshine. He gave everything on the field," Travers told AFP.

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C’est avec une immense tristesse que nous venons d’apprendre le décès de notre ancien joueur Ibrahim Diarra.

Ibou, nous nous souviendrons toujours de ton sourire et de ta bonne humeur légendaire. pic.twitter.com/hM7CysPMig

— Castres Olympique (@CastresRugby) December 18, 2019

Je suis bouleversé qu’il ait pu partir si tôt. Nous retiendrons pour toujours son sourire, et le souvenir éternel d’un grand joueur de rugby. Mes plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux proches de Ibrahim Diarra.

— Bernard Laporte (@BernardLaporte_) December 18, 2019