Coach of the attack of the XV of France, Patrick Arlettaz spoke about the first steps of Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou in Marcoussis since the announcement of the dismissal of their rape case.
Performance above all. A few weeks after the announcement of the dismissal of their rape case, Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou were recalled by Fabien Galthié to the group of 42 players who are preparing the first match of the Six Nations Tournament against Wales this Friday at the Stade de France. The Rochelais and the Palois were even kept among the 23 players who remained in Essonne this weekend. Their presence in Marcoussis is therefore purely linked to the sporting aspect, as explained by Fabien Galthié on several occasions and confirmed by Patrick Arlettaz this Sunday.
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“From the moment we made the choice to take them in the 42, it was because they were performing well. Their integration happened naturally,” confided the attack coach during a press point five days before the Blues enter the Tournament. “There were two versions, that of Oscar and Hugo, that of the complainant. It was judged by the Argentine courts, and we took that as a fact. We had to choose one of the two versions, we might as well leave it to justice choose it for us.”
-They left a good impression
Now focused on the pitch, Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou have impressed players and staff. The science of Auradou's touch, the solidity in Jégou's game, despite his 94 kilos, an almost anachronistic weight for a 3rd wing line in modern rugby, these two were omnipresent in this first week of training.
“We had to see their performances on the field and they were very good, so they are in the 42 and inevitably they apply, they are obviously possible candidates for a place in the XV of France. Holder, replacement… They apply like the other 40 players”, adds Patrick Arlettaz, aware that this rapid return can get people talking.
“We are never hermetic, the subject is not there, we are not here to put blinders on. It can provoke reactions but we have to make a choice. Expecting something, perhaps, endure it, no. We have to be fair in the way we deal with it. If they are very good, they apply. In the meantime, Auradou and Jegou are preparing to experience their first VI Nations Tournament match on Friday against Wales (21h15).
