After the Jegou-Auradou and Jaminet cases, the French Rugby Federation announces 26 measures for its national teams – Libération

From this Tuesday, October 29, rugby teams will be required to respect a certain number of rules off the field. A decision which sounds like a response to the catastrophic tour of the XV of France in Argentina last summer.

The Blues of the XV of France are preparing to face Japan in the first match of their fall tour. A few days before the match, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and coach Fabien Galthié presented 26 measures to the players, hoping to reduce bad behavior. After the “behavioral deviations on an extra-sporting level” last summer, the FFR considered that it was necessary “act urgently”. This is why the federation convened a general meeting on August 29. One came out “reinforced performance project for French rugby”unveiled this Tuesday, October 29, and entered into force immediately.

Among the measures, the FFR wants “prohibit staff and players of the French team from consuming alcohol in certain circumstances”, especially in “performance locations”without specifying which ones. The end of competition evenings will now be organized in “privatized places.” The rugby body affirms that “entertainment based on alcohol consumption” will be prohibited and reserves the right to carry out checks “on taking narcotics” and use breathalyzers. Another key regulation, people “outside the official delegation” and families can only be received “in the common rooms” accommodation for the French XV. These measures are accompanied by a prevention component around addictions, as well as a “anonymized mental health monitoring program”.

Galthié and Grill on the same line

The adoption of these rules was strongly influenced by the controversies which affected the federation this summer. What the FFR describes as “extra-sporting behavioral deviations” are none other than the affair of Melvyn Jaminet and that of Oscar Jégou and Hugo Auradou. The first, back of the team, had made racist remarks on his social networks during the XV of France’s tour in Argentina. He was suspended for 34 weeks by the federation. At the same time, players Oscar Jégou and Hugo Auradou were charged with aggravated rape. The Mendoza public prosecutor’s office, where the investigation is being carried out, has requested a dismissal of the case which will be studied at a hearing on Friday November 1st. Even if the players are back with their respective teams in Pau and La Rochelle, the “extra-sporting behavioral deviations” with which they are accused remain criminally reprehensible. And Florian Grill, president of the FFR, is aware of this. He said this on October 21 at the Team, “for Jégou and Auradou, we were very clear: they will not play again for the French team as long as there is no dismissal.” Fabien Galthié, who welcomed the two players on their return to France, is on the same line.