Vinaya Habosi, who was recently recalled after facing an investigation for domestic violence, made a significant impact as Racing 92 defeated Vannes in the Top 14 league on Saturday. Meanwhile, Hugo Auradou played his first match for Pau since being accused of rape in Argentina.
Habosi contributed to his team’s success with a score in the first half, just three weeks after he was arrested following a domestic dispute. The 24-year-old Fijian winger has faced disciplinary measures from Racing 92, including a mandate to attend a domestic violence course. Racing secured a 27-24 victory, marking their second win in five matches this season, which alleviated some pressure on coach Stuart Lancaster, previously of England and Leinster. Vannes, in their inaugural top-flight season, remain at the bottom of the standings after suffering their fourth loss.
In Perpignan, Auradou started for Pau, a month after he returned from Argentina, where he faced allegations of raping a woman the night after a Test match. The 21-year-old was arrested alongside La Rochelle flanker Oscar Jegou in July following their debuts for France against Argentina in Mendoza. A woman accused the players of assaulting her in a hotel room after a night of festivities. Both athletes deny the charges, asserting that the encounter was consensual. On Friday, Argentine prosecutors suggested dropping the rape allegations against them.
Jegou has resumed training with La Rochelle but was not part of the team for their match against Lyon on Saturday. Later that day, Castres, the team previously associated with star scrum-half Antoine Dupont, hosted Toulouse, his current club, although Dupont was absent as he spent the week in the United States following the Olympic Games, where he had a chance meeting with Argentine football legend Lionel Messi in Miami.