France’s Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who were the subject of rape allegations last summer, are set to take part in the Six Nations after being named in a 42-man squad on Wednesday which also features halfbacks Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.
Last month, an Argentinian court dismissed aggravated rape charges against Auradou and Jegou and the French federation said they were available for international duty again.
Pau secondrow Auradou and La Rochelle flanker Jegou, both 21, had been under investigation since July 12th for alleged aggravated rape – a charge used for suspected gang rape – in Argentina’s western Mendoza province after they both made their international debuts.
The two players, allowed to leave Argentina in September, always denied any wrongdoing and said the sex was consensual. The plaintiff has appealed the court’s decision and the next hearing will take place on February 10th, their lawyer said.
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Scrumhalf Dupont will take part in his first Six Nations campaign since 2023 after missing last year’s competition to prepare for the Paris Olympics, where he won a Rugby Sevens gold medal with Les Bleus.
Outhalf Ntamack missed the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Six Nations through injury, having been unable to play for France since August, 2023.
Outhalf Jalibert also makes his comeback in the squad after skipping the last two Tests of France’s autumn series last November.
Joshua Brennan has been named among the 23 forwards, along with Leinster prop Rabah Slimani. Brennan, 23, a son of former Ireland international Trevor, plays secondrow with Toulouse and came on for the last quarter of their 20-8 Champions Cup victory over the Sharks in Durban last Saturday. He replaced French international Emmanuel Meafou, who had opened the scoring with a ninth-minute try at Kings Park.
France squad
Forwards: Esteban Abadie, Dorian Aldegheri, Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Hugo Auradou, Cyrill Baille, Giorgi Beria, Paul Boudehent, Joshua Brennan, Georges-Henri Colombe, Francois Cros, Marko Gazzotti, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Matthias Halagahu, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Maxime Lamothe, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Emmanuel Meafou, Danny Priso, Rabah Slimani, Romain Taofifenua.
Backs: Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Leo Barre, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Nicolas Depoortere, Gael Drean, Antoine Dupont, Antoine Frisch, Emilien Gailleton, Matthieu Jalibert, Nolann le Garrec, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Noah Nene, Romain Ntamack, Damien Penaud, Thomas Ramos, Gabin Villiere.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend named uncapped New Zealand-born outhalf Fergus Burke and number eight Jack Mann in his squad, but experienced trio Kyle Steyn, Adam Hastings and Cameron Redpath are sidelined with injury.
Townsend unveiled 37 players ahead of Scotland’s opener against Italy at Murrayfield on February 11st, with centre Sione Tuipulotu to captain the side.
Burke, 25, qualifies through his Glasgow-born grandfather, and will compete for the number 10 jersey with incumbent Finn Russell and Tom Jordan.
“He has been playing regularly for Sacarens and playing really well,” Townsend said. “We want to find out about him as a person and a player. He is a good defender and loves to carry the ball, whether at flyhalf or fullback.”
Steyn has been a regular for the team since making his debut in 2020, scoring 13 tries in 23 Tests, but along with Hastings and Redpath will miss the start of the competition, at least, with injury.
Instead, Blair Kinghorn, Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Kyle Rowe make up the back three selection in Steyn’s absence, while Tuipulotu is one of five centres alongside Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Matt Currie and Rory Hutchinson as Townsend assesses his options.
Lock Jonny Gray, 30, will hope to add to his 77 caps having not played for Scotland since the 2023 Six Nations. He is one of five secondrows alongside Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Marshall Sykes and Gregor Brown.
“Johnny is a really experienced player,” Townsend said. “He is back fully fit and brings his experience of playing in French rugby.”
Townsend has also named four hookers in Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry, Dylan Richardson and Patrick Harrison.
Scotland have not won the competition since it was the Five Nations in 1999, ahead of Italy’s inclusion.
They also have home games against Ireland and Wales this year, and are away to England and France.
“The tournament is so tied to momentum, if you are going to do well you have to start well,” Townsend said. “We have to put in our best performances from the first round to the last.”
Scotland squad
Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Bhatti, Gregor Brown, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Patrick Harrison, Will Hurd, Jack Mann, D’Arcy Rae, Dylan Richardson, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Sutherland, Marshall Sykes
Backs: Fergus Burke, Matt Currie, Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Rowe, Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.
