Yahoo Sports Sexual assault allegations overshadow France's rugby Test against Uruguay
France rugby boss Fabien Galthié admitted his touring squad had been traumatised by the arrest of Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jégou after they were accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel following the team's match against Argentina.
Galthié's squad travelled to Montevideo for the game against Uruguay on Wednesday night as senior executives from the French rugby federation remained in Buenos Aires to assist Argentine police with their investigation into the alleged attack on Saturday night in Mendoza.
"We've got to play," said Galthié. "We've got to wear the France jersey, we've got to keep going through this difficult period.
"It's an important game for Uruguay, it's important to talk about this team."
Auradou, 20, and Jégou, 21, were detained on Tuesday in Buenos Aires as the touring group prepared to leave its hotel for Uruguay.
"For the group, for the delegation, it was a traumatic experience," said Galthié. "We were stunned when we heard the news and when the police arrived at our hotel in Buenos Aires.
"It was a very difficult day, very, very hard. It was a very difficult time to live through. That's how we're preparing for the Uruguay match. It's very difficult, very complex."
Rising stars
Auradou, who plays for Section Paloise and Jégou, a rising star at Stade Rochelais, were called into the senior squad after their stellar performances during France's surge to the crown at the 2023 World Rugby under-20 Championship.
The pair each made their senior debuts in the 28-13 win over Argentina at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.
"First of all, the first thing is to address the victim, our thoughts are with the victim," added Galthié.
