Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

France's Monday morning meeting: 'I was frankly shocked'

France's rugby team head coach Fabien Galthie gestures during a press conference in Montevideo on July 9, 2024, on the eve of the rugby test match between Uruguay and France. (Photo by Eitan ABRAMOVICH / AFP) (Photo by EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP via Getty Images)

France’s tour of Argentina and Uruguay was overshadowed by the off-field behaviour of three squad members and was described as a “collective trauma” by centre Antoine Frisch.

ADVERTISEMENT

The problems began after France beat Argentina 28-13 in the opening Test in Mendoza. The next day fullback Melvyn Jaminet was removed from the squad after posting an Instagram story expressing violent intentions.

Two days later Argentine authorities began investigating forwards Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou over an alleged sexual assault in Mendoza. They were formally charged with aggravated rape.

Video Spacer

Rassie Erasmus on the blow of losing Willie le Roux so early in the second Test against Ireland

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:57
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:57
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    Rassie Erasmus on the blow of losing Willie le Roux so early in the second Test against Ireland

    Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted that his team’s attacking game against Ireland in Durban fell flat after Willie le Roux was forced to leave the field

    Lawyers for the victim have said that she suffered wounds to her face, back, breasts, legs and ribs, as well as bite and scratch marks following the ordeal and she was raped at least six times.

    Coach Fabien Galthie had given both forwards their debuts as starters in the first Test.

    “We had a meeting on Monday evening and Fabien Galthie and the staff explained the situation to us, all together, at the hotel,” former Munster centre Frisch told AFP.

    “I was frankly shocked. There are so many emotions: you’re worried, you’re stressed,” said the Test debutant. “It’s hard to find the words. It’s a collective trauma.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I’ve never experienced anything like it… It was very difficult emotionally, psychologically and mentally. Preparing for a match like that was definitely complicated.”

    Frisch said France had mental health professionals ready to talk to the players.

    “Yes, we had our mental trainers who were available if we needed to talk. After that, everyone experiences it differently. There are some who prefer not to talk about it. There are some who need to express themselves.”

    France had beaten Uruguay 43-28 midweek but went on to lose the second Test to Argentina 25-33 in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

    “It certainly had a real impact on our preparation, that’s for sure.”

    “It wasn’t easy,” he said. “We talked to each other, kept to ourselves and stuck together. There was the French football team match and we watched it together.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “As the week progressed, there was an international match to play. We were forced to switch to that.”

    Captain Baptiste Serin echoed the words of Frisch: “It’s been a very complicated week,” said Serin after the 33-25 defeat which left the series tied at 1-1.

    “But it was an international match and there was only one thing that motivated us, only one thing we could control, and that was what we could give on the pitch.

    “And we gave it everything we had.”

    Related

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo vs Kubota Spears | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 Final | Full Match Replay

    Saitama Wild Knights vs Kobe Steelers | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 Bronze Final | Full Match Replay

    Boks Office | Episode 42 | Investec Champions Cup Final Review

    Spain's Incredible Rugby Sevens Journey to the World Championship Final | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 14

    Australia vs USA | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

    New Zealand vs Canada | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

    South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

    The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    2 Comments
    J
    JK 331 days ago

    What happens on tour never stays on tour….

    c
    carlos 331 days ago

    I am not going to judge whether the attack occurred as stated or whether there are other issues at play, there’s not enough information to say one way or another.


    However, I blame the French team staff for not having a “watcher” or security staff at the hotel lobby at all times. When you see two players of 20 and 21 years of age walking in with a woman almost twice their age, what is the “reasonable expectation”? No one to prevent a potential disaster? No one asking questions?

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    f
    frandinand 3 hours ago
    The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

    My favorite wine used to be Shiraz and I also enjoy a nice malbec. But having discovered quality pinots my preferences have definitely changed. Sorry Nic. But the great red wines of the world are pinots. The problem is being able to afford them. A friend in NZ sent me this list of their top 25 across regions prices and styles Hope you can source some of them Carlos.

    Grove Mill 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir - $15.99

    Ayrburn Whimsy 2019 Otago Pinot Noir - $19.99

    Mount Brown 2023 Waipara Pinot Noir - $19.99

    Rapaura Springs Reserve 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir - $21.99

    Te Kairanga Estate 2024 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $24.99

    Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $26.99

    Hunters 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir – $26.99

    Clearview Estate 2024 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $27.99

    Putangi 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $27.99

    McArthur Ridge Southern Tor 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $35.99

    Ata Rangi Crimson 2023 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $38.99

    Neudorf Tom’s Block 2023 Moutere Pinot Noir - $38.99

    Te Kairanga John Martin 2024 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $39.99

    Terra Sancta Shingle Beach 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $43.99

    Pyramid Valley Manatu 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $44.99

    Maude Mohawk 2023 Otago Pinot Noir - $49.99

    Misha’s High Note 2021 Otago Pinot Noir - $50.99

    Quartz Reef Bendigo 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $52.99

    Amisfield 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $61.99

    Calvert Bannockburn 2021 Otago Pinot Noir - $64.99

    Prophet's Rock Home Vineyard 2023 Otago Pinot Noir - $79.99

    Greystone Vineyard Ferment 2021 Waipara Pinot Noir - $81.99

    Amisfield Breakneck Reserve 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $92.99

    Clos Ostler Caroline’s 2021 Waitaki Pinot Noir - $112.99

    145 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ How university 'alchemy' is powering Bath's treble charge How university 'alchemy' is powering Bath's treble charge
    Search