A French court has sentenced former Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom, once celebrated for his prowess on the rugby field, to five years in prison for financial misconduct.

According to French media, Elsom was found guilty of forgery and embezzlement of €700,000 as president of Racing Club Narbonnais between 2015 and 2016.

His absence from the trial led to the issuance of an international arrest warrant.

Elsom, currently in Ireland, has remained out of the public eye.

The funds in question were allegedly misappropriated for personal benefit, sparking a police investigation in 2016.

Since then, Elsom has kept a low profile, recently surfacing as a coach for a university rugby team in Ireland.

Elsom is a former Australian rugby player best known for captaining the Wallabies and earning 75 caps between 2005 and 2011.

He played professionally for teams like the Waratahs and Leinster, winning the European Cup in 2009.

After retiring from playing, Elsom moved into club management, taking over as president of French club Racing Club Narbonnais in 2015.

His tenure at the club ended in controversy, leading to the financial misconduct charges that resulted in his recent sentencing.