Two France rugby internationals, Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou, have been apprehended in Argentina following allegations of sexual assault.
Jegou, 21, and Auradou, 20, were taken into custody in Buenos Aires on Monday and are set to be transferred to Mendoza, where the incident is alleged to have occurred against a woman.
The French national team is currently touring South America.
Following their 28-13 victory over Argentina on Saturday, the team stayed in Mendoza, where Jegou and Auradou both made their international debuts.
French Rugby Federation president Florian Grill commented on the matter, stating, “If the facts are proven, they are incredibly serious. We will reserve the results of the investigation.”
A representative for the Mendoza prosecutor’s office, Martin Ahumada, informed AFP news agency that a commission was en route to Buenos Aires to conduct “investigative actions” and noted that “if the results match the victim’s testimony, the indictment will be issued.”
Jegou, who plays as a back row for La Rochelle, and Auradou, a lock for Pau, were both members of France’s U20 World Championship-winning team in 2023.
BBC Sport has reached out to the French Rugby Federation for further comment.
This incident follows the suspension of full-back Melvyn Jaminet by the federation after he posted a video on social media containing a racist remark.
Jaminet, who plays for Toulon, shared the video on Instagram after the victory over Argentina.
Despite deleting the video, it was widely circulated on social media, leading to his dismissal from the tour. Jaminet expressed remorse, stating he was “deeply sorry and ashamed of my comments.”
France is scheduled to play Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday before returning to Buenos Aires for a second Test against Argentina.
