XV de France Players Navigate Aftermath of Mendoza Affair Ahead of 2026 Competitions

Hugo Auradou, the 22-year-old second-row lock for Pau and the French national rugby team, has spoken publicly for the first time about the Mendoza affair, which involved rape allegations during a 2024 tour in Argentina. Auradou and teammate Oscar Jegou were placed in custody and under judicial supervision before the Argentine justice system issued a non-lieu ruling. Auradou revealed he chose to remain silent for nearly two years to concentrate on rugby, saying, "It was a whirlwind. Living through that at 20-21 years old is not trivial. But it has been almost two years, and all of that is a bit behind me now." He credited support from family, friends, and his club for helping him regain balance and has since earned eleven caps with the French team while contributing significantly to Pau's playoff push.

Meanwhile, Antoine Dupont, the scrum-half for Stade Toulousain, aims to join the XV de France summer tour despite sustaining injuries during the Top 14 season. After an outstanding semi-final performance against Racing 92, Dupont is motivated to skip his vacation and participate in the inaugural Championship of Nations, with upcoming matches against New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. This tour is a critical preparation phase leading to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Dupont's involvement would demonstrate a strong commitment to French rugby and bolster the national team's competitiveness.

Together, these developments reflect the XV de France players’ efforts to move beyond the Mendoza affair and focus on upcoming international challenges, emphasizing resilience and professional dedication.