Two France players arrested over sexual assault claims

Two France international rugby players have been arrested in Argentina following allegations of sexual assault.

Oscar Jegou, 21, and Hugo Auradou, 20, were detained in Buenos Aires on Monday and will be transported to Mendoza, where local reports claim the crime allegedly took place against a woman.

France are on a tour of South America.

France’s squad stayed in Mendoza on Saturday night following their 28-13 Test win against Argentina, during which the two players both made their international debuts.

“If the facts are proven, they are incredibly serious,” French Rugby Federation president Florian Grill told journalists.

“We will reserve the results of the investigation.”

Martin Ahumada, a spokesperson for the Mendoza prosecutor’s office, told the AFP news agency that a commission was travelling to Buenos Aires to carry out “investigative actions” and that “if the results match the victim’s testimony, the indictment will be issued”.

Jegou, who plays back row for French club La Rochelle and Auradou, a lock for club side Pau, were both part of France’s U20 World Championship-winning team in 2023.

BBC Sport has contacted the French Rugby Federation for comment.

The arrests come two days after full-back Melvyn Jaminet was suspended by the federation after he posted a video on social media with a racist comment.

Jaminet, who plays for Toulon, put the video on his Instagram account after playing in the victory against Argentina.

Although Jaminet deleted the video, it was widely shared on social media and the 25-year-old was sent home from the tour.

Jaminet said he was “deeply sorry and ashamed of my comments”.

France play Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday before returning to Buenos Aires for a second Test against Argentina.