France rugby boss Fabien Galthié admitted his touring squad had been traumatised by the arrest of Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jégou after they were accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel following the team's match against Argentina.
Galthié's squad travelled to Montevideo for the game against Uruguay on Wednesday night as senior executives from the French rugby federation remained in Buenos Aires to assist Argentine police with their investigation into the alleged attack on Saturday night in Mendoza.
"We've got to play," said Galthié. "We've got to wear the France jersey, we've got to keep going through this difficult period.
"It's an important game for Uruguay, it's important to talk about this team."
Auradou, 20, and Jégou, 21, were detained on Tuesday in Buenos Aires as the touring group prepared to leave its hotel for Uruguay.
"For the group, for the delegation, it was a traumatic experience," said Galthié. "We were stunned when we heard the news and when the police arrived at our hotel in Buenos Aires.
"It was a very difficult day, very, very hard. It was a very difficult time to live through. That's how we're preparing for the Uruguay match. It's very difficult, very complex."
Rising stars
Auradou, who plays for Section Paloise and Jégou, a rising star at Stade Rochelais, were called into the senior squad after their stellar performances during France's surge to the crown at the 2023 World Rugby under-20 Championship.
The pair each made their senior debuts in the 28-13 win over Argentina at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.
"First of all, the first thing is to address the victim, our thoughts are with the victim," added Galthié.
"I've spoken with the players, of course. Everything is being done on our side to support the work of the Argentinian justice system, everything is being done to help the justice system do its job, but also for the players involved, but also for the whole delegation, so that they can live through this moment."
The assault allegations emerged less than a day after France full-back Melvyn Jaminet was thrown out of the squad after a video emerged of him making a racist remark.
Jaminet, who has played 20 times for his country, issued an apology on social media shortly after his suspension was announced.
"I understand that this has hurt and offended many people, and I want to make it clear that these remarks do not reflect my values or those of the French rugby team.
"Racism in any form is unacceptable and goes against everything I believe in," he wrote on Instagram.
Jaminet's club side Toulon also published a statement on social media to condemn the comments.
Galthié added: "We're uncompromising. Uncompromising with respect for the rules and the protection of freedom. It's a fundamental value of our operation."
France are due back in Buenos Aires to play a second Test against Argentina on Saturday.
