Auradou and Jegou named in France's Six Nations squad

Despite past legal scrutiny in Argentina, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou join France’s squad for the Six Nations tournament.

French rugby players Oscar Jegou (left) and Hugo Auradou (second left), along with their lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona (third right), wait to board a flight to France at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, on September 3, 2024. Photo by Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images

By Nada Fadiyah and Widya Putri

Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, both cleared last month of rape allegations in Argentina, were named Wednesday in France's 42-man squad for the Six Nations. The announcement has stirred attention, as the legal proceedings are not fully resolved, with an appeal hearing set for mid-February during the tournament.

The two 21-year-old forwards were accused of rape following France’s tour in July 2023, where they made their Test debuts against Los Pumas. Auradou, a lock for Pau, and Jegou, a flanker for La Rochelle, maintained that their encounter with a 39-year-old woman was consensual after a night of drinking.

In December, Argentine authorities dismissed the case. France’s head coach Fabien Galthie addressed the issue, stating, “The case was dropped, which is clear and obvious. From the moment the case was dropped, we consider them innocent. They can be selected after a coherent legal procedure.”

However, the complainant’s lawyer, Natacha Romano, has appealed the dismissal, with a hearing scheduled for February 10-11, during the Six Nations campaign.

The squad announcement also marked the return of Romain Ntamack, the Toulouse fly-half who has been sidelined for 17 months due to injuries. The 25-year-old missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup and last year’s Six Nations with a knee injury and was absent from the November internationals due to a calf issue.

Ntamack, a veteran with 37 caps, is expected to bolster the team as France seeks to reclaim the Six Nations title.

Coach Galthie has faced selection challenges due to injuries among key players, including Gael Fickou, Charles Ollivon, and Reda Wardi. In their absence, Galthie has included uncapped players like Toulon winger Gael Drean, Bordeaux-Begles hooker Maxime Lamothe, and Toulouse lock Joshua Brennan, son of former Ireland international Trevor Brennan.

Matthias Halagahu from Toulon and Noah Nene from Dax, a second-division ProD2 center, are among the notable call-ups. Leinster prop Rabah Slimani, who last played for France in 2019, also makes his return.

France kicks off their Six Nations campaign at home against Wales on January 31. The schedule includes challenging away fixtures against England on February 8, Italy on February 23, and two-time defending champions Ireland on March 8. The tournament concludes with a home match against Scotland at the Stade de France on March 15.

France’s 42-man squad

Props (8): Dorian Aldegheri, Uini Atonio, Cyril Baille, Giorgi Beria, Georges-Henri Colombe, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Rabah Slimani, Dany Priso
Hookers (3): Maxime Lamothe, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka
Second row (6): Hugo Auradou, Joshua Brennan, Thibaud Flament, Matthias Halagahu, Emmanuel Meafou, Romain Taofifenua
Back row (7): Esteban Abadie, Gregory Alldritt, Paul Boudehent, Francois Cros, Marko Gazzotti, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch
Scrum-halves (3): Antoine Dupont, Nolann Le Garrec, Maxime Lucu
Fly-halves (2): Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack
Wingers (5): Theo Attissogbe, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Gael Drean, Damian Penaud, Gabin Villiere
Centers (6): Pierre-Louis Barassi, Nicolas Depoortere, Antoine Frisch, Emilien Gailleton, Yoram Moefana, Noah Nene
Full-backs (2): Leo Barre, Thomas Ramos

With the inclusion of both seasoned players and fresh talent, Galthie’s squad reflects a balance of experience and adaptability. However, the selection of Auradou and Jegou has added a layer of complexity to the team’s narrative, as legal proceedings remain ongoing.

As the Six Nations approaches, France faces a mix of challenges on and off the field, striving to secure victory while navigating scrutiny over their squad choices.

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