Two France rugby players held in Argentina over alleged sexual assault

Police in Argentina were on Tuesday questioning France rugby players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou over allegations of a sexual assault on a woman.

The attack is alleged to have taken place on Saturday night following France's 28-13 victory over Argentina in Mendoza.

French rugby federation chiefs confirmed that Auradou and Jegou were detained in Buenos Aires on Monday and will be escorted back to Mendoza.

"A commission from the province of Mendoza will proceed with doing the relevant examinations," said Martin Ahumada, a spokesman for the Mendoza prosecutor's office.

"If the examinations align with the testimony of the victim, the related charge will be made," he told the French news agency AFP.

Local media reports said the alleged incident took place at the Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza, where France's players and staff were staying for last weekend's Test match.

Auradou, 20, who plays for Section Paloise in the the French top flight, comes from illustrious rugby stock.

His father, David, enjoyed a decorated career with Stade Francais and the France national team. Hugo's older brother, Paul, plays for the second division outfit Stade Nicois.

Questions

Jegou, 21, made his professional debut for Stade Rochelais in the Top 14 towards the end of the 2023 season.

With the absence of several players for the 2023 rugby World Cup, he was given an extended run in the first team.

The arrests come a day after France full-back Melvyn Jaminet was thrown out of the touring for making a racist comment in a video on social media.

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