Auradou and Jegou selected for the French XV: the two players whistled when they came into play during the victory against Wales

The two French XV players Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou were booed by part of the Stade de France crowd when they came on as substitutes on Friday 31 January, while legal proceedings are still ongoing in Argentina following accusations of rape.

The two players (21 years old, 2 caps) were substitutes at the start of the match against Wales, which is part of the first day of the Six Nations Tournament. Coming on in the 50th minute along with five other French players, second row Hugo Auradou was first booed a few times before the hostility of the crowd materialised more loudly when Oscar Jegou came on as a lone player shortly after the hour mark.

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Several voices in the world of rugby and outside had criticised their presence in the France group, announced in the middle of the month, then in the 23 players on the match sheet. The two players were targeted by accusations of rape during a French XV tour of Argentina in July 2024.

“We fully assume our decisions”

In early December, the Argentine justice system decided to drop the charges against them, but the complainant appealed the decision. The appeal must be examined on February 10 and 11, shortly after the second day of the Six Nations Tournament, when France travels to England.

“I understand and I hear the controversy that this can cause but we fully assume our decisions”, explained the coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié in front of journalists in Rome, on January 21 during the official presentation of the Tournament.

During the press conference accompanying the announcement of the composition of the team, Wednesday, the coach, questioned about the reception of the public, had evaded: “I hear your question but we are going to concentrate on the match against Wales, the Six Nations Tournament and all the questions that talk about rugby”.