Former Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom issued international warrant of arrest

Former Wallabies star Rocky Elsom has been issued an international warrant of arrest following a conviction for embezzlement in France.

Elsom was president of RC Narbonne, one of France's most prestigious clubs, in 2015-16, and was found guilty of misappropriating a total of FJD $1.7 million.

Elsom was convicted in absentia and given a five-year prison sentence.

The former Wallabies captain was convicted by the French court of abusing corporate assets and forging documents during his time as president of the Narbonne Rugby Club.

A lawyer involved in the case says Elsom made a completely unjustified payment of FJD $192,013.81 to a former coach and gave a monthly salary of FJD $17499.99 to an Australian resident who never went to Narbonne.

The club was placed into administration and relegated to lower leagues in 2018.

The judge handed down a harsher prison term than the two years requested by prosecutors.

Elsom was also ordered to pay back some FJD $1.7 million.