Ibrahim Diarra, 36, said to be in critical condition following a stroke

Former France international Ibrahim Diarra has suffered a stroke and is said to be in critical condition in hospital in Paris.

French sports newspaper L’Equipe are reporting that the long-serving Castres back row, who earned his only French Test selection in a 2008 win over Italy, took ill at his home in the Paris region and is currently at Georges Pompidou hospital.

The publication reported that Diarra, who also lined out for Montauban, Pau and low league Lavaur in a career that began in 2005 and carried through until 2018, had retired to the Ile-de-France to recover after a heart alert.

However, the 36-year-old, who lifted the Top 14 title with Castres, has now taken ill and his condition is described as critical.

His old club Castres and several former team-mates showed their support for Diarra on social media networks. 

Notre ancien joueur Ibrahim Diarra est actuellement dans un état critique. Il rencontre d’importants problèmes de santé et est hospitalisé à Paris. L’ensemble du Castres olympique est très touché, et adresse toutes ses pensées et ses forces à Ibrahim ainsi qu’à ses proches. pic.twitter.com/4dtLu9Burv

— Castres Olympique (@CastresRugby) December 13, 2019