PARIS (AP) — Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou have been selected by France to join the Six Nations squad after an Argentine court dropped aggravated sexual assault charges against them. The 21-year-old rugby players faced accusations of assaulting a woman following a match in Argentina last year. The judge dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence, though the plaintiff has filed an appeal.
The French rugby federation announced on Wednesday that coach Fabien Galthié had called up a group of 42 players in preparation for the team’s Six Nations opener against Wales on Jan. 31 at the Stade de France. The federation previously stated that the judge’s decision cleared the path for Jegou and Auradou to rejoin the national team.
Jegou, a flanker from La Rochelle in the Top 14 league, and Pau lock Auradou have been performing well since their return to club action three months ago. Both players have earned just one cap for France. Additionally, flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert, who opted out of selection as a reserve against New Zealand in the autumn test last November, has been reinstated in the squad. Toulouse players Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos, and Romain Ntamack were also included in the roster.
Ntamack is making his comeback after being sidelined for 17 months due to a knee injury that kept him out of contention for the 2023 World Cup. Among the uncapped players chosen is center Noah Nene, who competes in the French second division with Dax. France aims to secure their second Six Nations title in four years.
France Squad:
Forwards: Esteban Abadie, Dorian Aldegheri, Grégory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Hugo Auradou, Cyril Baille, Giorgi Beria, Paul Boudehent, Joshua Brennan, Georges-Henri Colombe, François Cros, Thibaud Flament, Marko Gazzotti, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mathias Halagahu, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Maxime Lamothe, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Emmanuel Meafou, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Romain Taofifenua
Backs: Théo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Léo Barré, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Nicolas Depoortere, Gaël Dréan, Antoine Dupont, Antoine Frisch, Émilien Gailleton, Matthieu Jalibert, Nolann Le Garrec, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Noah Nene, Romain Ntamack, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos, Gabin Villière.
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