The leaders of the French Rugby Federation on Wednesday named the players accused of raping a 39-year-old woman in Argentina during the summer tour of South America, among the 42 players selected for the 2025 Six Nations tournament.
Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, both 21, were investigated following the incident in Mendoza, western Argentina, in July. The case was dismissed in December.
La Rochelle flanker Jegou and Pau lock Auradou insisted they had consensual sex with the woman after a night of drinking following their Test debut.
“From the moment a file is filed, after a consistent procedure, they can be selected,” declared France team coach Fabien Galthié.
Their inclusion was one of the main topics of discussion among the Galthié squad with the call-up of Noah Nene, who plays for Dax in the second division ProD2.
Toulon lock Matthias Halagahu has been brought in to the forward line along with veteran Leinster prop Rabah Slimani. The 35-year-old played the last of his 57 Tests in 2019.
Back
There is also the return, after 17 months of absence due to injuries, of Toulouse fly-half Romain Ntamack.
The 25-year-old, who has won 37 caps for France, has meanwhile missed the 2023 World Cup and last year’s Six Nations due to a serious knee injury, while injury calf injury caused him to miss the November internationals.
Other uncapped players named in the squad include Perpignan prop Giorgi Beria, Bordeaux-Begles hooker Maxime Lamothe, Toulon winger Gael Drean and Toulouse lock Joshua Brennan.
They will close their championship against Scotland at the Stade de France on March 15.
(With the press wires)
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