If the shadow of the appeal made by the complainant remains, it should not prevent the staff from summoning Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou among the 42, the latter having been declared eligible for selection since the dismissal order.
If we have sometimes criticized, in these same columns, the comedy of Fabien Galthié, we must also have a certain duty of memory. Thus, on the last day of the painful summer 2024 tour in Argentina, Galthié received Midi Olympique in his suite at the Emperador hotel in Buenos Aires. The coach did not relent when he was asked the question: “ Were Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou part of the potential future Premiums?”
Tit for tat and wanting not to howl with the wolves, the coach responded as follows: “I’m not talking about Auradou and Jegou in the imperfect. They are still part of our gems.” Before continuing, after taking the time to think: “I have a deep conviction, of course. Let's help Argentine justice to work well, as powerfully, as firmly and as fairly as possible.”
Their presence in the 42
However, this justice system worked precisely, until it pronounced on December 10, 2024 a dismissal of the case in the case of alleged rape which occurred on the night of July 6 to 7, 2024 in Mendoza. Immediately making the two players selectable again, via an official press release from the FFR. “Argentinian justice has, in accordance with the unanimous requisitions of the prosecutors, pronounced a dismissal of the case in favor of the players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, thus recognizing their absence of guilt. […] Also, if their sporting performances allow it, they will potentially be selected to play again for the French team.” However, it is clear that their sporting performances have proven to be more than correct given the context, Auradou having accumulated no less than 11 match sheets (including 8 starts) since his return to the field on October 5 with Pau, while Jegou honored 7 (including 6 tenures) with La Rochelle, after having only resumed on November 2.
Jegou once again delivered a sparkling performance this Saturday against Toulouse. So much so that the call-up of the two players is clearly mentioned today, within the staff of the XV of France. A first appearance in the group of 42 is more than possible. Their presence in the 23 who will face Wales on January 31 cannot be ruled out either, what's more after the injury to Charles Ollivon (knee) and the uncertainty concerning Mickaël Guillard (ankle)… And that even if the appeal made by the complainant will be examined on Monday February 10, that is to say after the two inaugural matches against Wales and England…
France
