Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou, who both made their international debuts in France’s match against Argentina in Mendoza on Saturday, had their identities confirmed by FFR president Florian Grill on Monday.
La Rochelle flanker Jegou and Pau lock Auradou are part of a squad that is scheduled to play Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday before returning to Buenos Aires to play Argentina again on Saturday.
Asked about the identities of the players involved, Grill told a press conference in Argentina: “They came out in the [Argentine] press: Jegou and Auradou.
“There is an ongoing investigation. Jean-Marc [Lhermet, FFR vice-president] and I have just flown in from Paris. If the facts are confirmed, they are incredibly serious.
“Our thoughts must already be with the young woman. If, once again, this is true, it goes against everything that rugby does, builds and is, everything that the 2,000 amateur clubs who bring amateur rugby to life on a daily basis do.
“I don’t have any details. I can’t say what happened. An investigation is under way. They’re in a police station. Someone from the delegation went to see them to bring them some food. We’re going to try to go back and see them too.”
Jegou, 21 and Auradou, 20, have both represented France at youth level.
“If the investigation establishes the alleged facts, they constitute an unspeakable atrocity,” French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera wrote in a post on X.
