Vinaya Habosi, who was recalled after a domestic violence investigation, made a notable contribution as Racing 92 defeated Vannes in the Top 14 on Saturday. Meanwhile, Hugo Auradou made his first appearance for Pau since allegations of rape surfaced against him in Argentina last month.
Habosi’s performance came just weeks after his arrest in connection with an altercation involving his wife. The 24-year-old winger was sanctioned by his club and mandated to participate in a domestic violence educational program.
In the match, Habosi helped Racing bounce back to secure a 27-24 victory, marking their second win in five games this season and easing some pressure off head coach Stuart Lancaster, the former England and Leinster manager. Vannes, in their inaugural top-flight season, remained at the bottom of the standings following their fourth loss.
In Perpignan, Auradou started for Pau after returning from Argentina, where he faced serious allegations of rape following a Test match. The 21-year-old and La Rochelle flanker Oscar Jegou had been arrested in July after playing their first caps for France against the Pumas. The accusations involved an alleged assault against a woman in a hotel room after a social outing following the match.
Both players refute the claims, asserting that any encounter was consensual. On Friday, Argentine prosecutors recommended that the rape charges against them be dismissed. Jegou has resumed training with La Rochelle but was not included in their match against Lyon on Saturday.
Later that day, Antoine Dupont’s former team Castres was set to face his current club Toulouse, although the star scrum-half was absent as he wrapped up a vacation in the United States, where he had a meeting with Argentine football legend Lionel Messi in Miami.