Argentine appeals judges on Tuesday dismissed rape charges against French rugby players Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou, even as their accuser vowed to seek recourse to a higher court.
The men, both 21, were arrested two days after winning their first international caps for France against Argentina in the western city of Mendoza in July last year.
<h2>Argentine appeals court throws out rape case</h2>
A 39-year-old woman, whom they met in a nightclub after the match, accused them of a vicious assault in a hotel room.
Auradou and Jegou insisted they had consensual sex with the woman after a night of drinking.
The players were held in preventive custody for over a week in Mendoza and then under house arrest for nearly a month before being allowed to return to France last September after prosecutors said the case against them appeared flimsy.
On Tuesday, three appeals judges in Mendoza upheld a lower court's ruling last December to dismiss all charges against the pair.
In a judgment seen by AFP dismissing an appeal by the complainant, the judges cited a "lack of elements to support a serious accusation."
The accuser's lawyer Natacha Romano told AFP Tuesday they would lodge an appeal with the highest court of the province of Mendoza, and if necessary after that, the Supreme Court of the nation.
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Romano had previously vowed to exhaust all avenues of appeal, which could still include the Inter-American Court for Human Rights based in Costa Rica.
Jegou and Auradou made their first Test appearance since the accusation last month, starting on the bench for France's Six Nations opener against Wales.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sports: Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou were arrested two days after winning their first international caps for France against Argentina in the western city of Mendoza in July.

Argentine appeals judges on Tuesday dismissed rape charges against French rugby players Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou, even as their accuser vowed to seek recourse to a higher court. The men, both 21, were arrested two days after winning their first international caps for France against Argentina in the western city of Mendoza in July last year. Argentine appeals court throws out rape case A 39-year-old woman, whom they met in a nightclub after the match, accused them of a vicious assault in a hotel room. Auradou and Jegou insisted they had consensual sex with the woman after a night of drinking. The players were held in preventive custody for over a week in Mendoza and then under house arrest for nearly a month before being allowed to return to France last September after prosecutors said the case against them appeared flimsy. On Tuesday, three appeals judges in Mendoza upheld a lower court's ruling last December to dismiss all charges against the pair. In a judgment seen by AFP dismissing an appeal by the complainant, the judges cited a "lack of elements to support a serious accusation." The accuser's lawyer Natacha Romano told AFP Tuesday they would lodge an appeal with the highest court of the province of Mendoza, and if necessary after that, the Supreme Court of the nation. ALSO READ | SWOT analysis | Champions Trophy 2025: Underdogs with fighting spirit - Can Bangladesh overcome the odds? Romano had previously vowed to exhaust all avenues of appeal, which could still include the Inter-American Court for Human Rights based in Costa Rica. Jegou and Auradou made their first Test appearance since the accusation last month, starting on the bench for France's Six Nations opener against Wales. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Argentine appeals court throws out rape case against French rugby players

Former Argentina flyhalf&nbsp;Felipe&nbsp;Contepomi&nbsp;will be their new head coach, succeeding Australian Michael Cheika, the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) said on Monday. Contepomi, who won 87 caps as a player for Argentina, served as assistant to Cheika, who leaves after less than two years in the role having led them to the semi-finals of the World Cup in October and a fourth-placed finish.

"I want to thank all the Argentines for these wonderful years together, the UAR, the staff and the players for having trusted me for this challenge," Cheika said in a statement. "I am very proud to have been the head coach of Los Pumas and it is one of the experiences I have enjoyed the most in my coaching career. "Although I was born in Australia, a big part of me will be Argentina. I am convinced that&nbsp;Felipe&nbsp;and his staff will lead the team in the best way."

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Cheika, who was appointed in March 2022, led Los Pumas in 24 test matches, recording 11 wins and 13 defeats. They reached the last four of the World Cup in France, where they suffered a heavy defeat to New Zealand before narrowly losing to England in the bronze final.

"I had the honour of working with Michael Cheika in the consolidation of a sporting project, which challenges and excites us as part of a great Argentine team,"&nbsp;Contepomi&nbsp;said. "For that reason I am grateful for the extraordinary opportunity that the UAR gives me to continue working towards the cherished goal of the 2027 World Cup in Australia."

Former Argentina flyhalf Felipe Contepomi will be their new head coach, succeeding Australian Michael Cheika, the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) said on Monday. Contepomi, who won 87 caps as a player for Argentina, served as assistant to Cheika, who leaves after less than two years in the role having led them to the semi-finals of the World Cup in October and a fourth-placed finish.

Former Argentina flyhalf Felipe Contepomi will be their new head coach, succeeding Australian Michael Cheika, the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) said on Monday. Contepomi, who won 87 caps as a player for Argentina, served as assistant to Cheika, who leaves after less than two years in the role having led them to the semi-finals of the World Cup in October and a fourth-placed finish. "I want to thank all the Argentines for these wonderful years together, the UAR, the staff and the players for having trusted me for this challenge," Cheika said in a statement. "I am very proud to have been the head coach of Los Pumas and it is one of the experiences I have enjoyed the most in my coaching career. "Although I was born in Australia, a big part of me will be Argentina. I am convinced that Felipe and his staff will lead the team in the best way." Also read: San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama to miss meeting with Milwaukee Bucks with sore ankle Cheika, who was appointed in March 2022, led Los Pumas in 24 test matches, recording 11 wins and 13 defeats. They reached the last four of the World Cup in France, where they suffered a heavy defeat to New Zealand before narrowly losing to England in the bronze final. "I had the honour of working with Michael Cheika in the consolidation of a sporting project, which challenges and excites us as part of a great Argentine team," Contepomi said. "For that reason I am grateful for the extraordinary opportunity that the UAR gives me to continue working towards the cherished goal of the 2027 World Cup in Australia."

Felipe Contepomi succeeds Michael Cheika to take over as Argentina rugby coach

After beginning the professional era as a team of nomads, Argentina had finally found a home for their players until the Covid pandemic scattered them to the four corners of the planet. The great Argentina team that reached the semi-finals of the 2007 World Cup in France was led by the likes of Leinster fly-half Felipe Contempomi, Sale Sharks flanker Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Stade Francais half-backs Agustin Pichot and Juan Martin "El Mago" Hernandez.

If Argentina manage to repeat that feat by beating Wales in Saturday's quarter-final in Marseille, the country's new heroes will again be a band of exiles.

Back in 2007, Argentine players needed to find foreign clubs to play professionally, until the creation of the Jaguares Super&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;franchise in 2016. It was a seminal moment in Argentine&nbsp;rugby.

The Buenos Aires-based team gave players the opportunity to stay at home while still paying top-level club&nbsp;rugby. Already competing in the southern hemisphere&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;Championship since 2012, Argentina's players could now also face the best of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa at club level.

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Playing all year round together for club and country, Argentine&nbsp;rugby&nbsp;quickly progressed. The Jaguares reached the Super&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;final in 2019, in just their fourth season, losing 19-3 to the all-conquering New Zealander Crusaders. But Covid pulled the rug from under the Jaguares as the 2020 Super&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;season was abandoned and the teams from Australia and New Zealand created new domestic-based competitions and the South Africans joined Europe's United&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;Championship.

Argentina's best players were once again forced to wander the earth.

"Our lives changed completely with Covid," said Juan Cruz Mallia, who has managed to land on his feet at French powerhouse Toulouse. After winning the Top 14 title twice and the European Champions Cup, utility back Mallia has signed a new contract until 2026. But he would no doubt still be playing for the Jaguares if it were not for Covid.

"They disappeared so we had to start looking for a new club to play professional&nbsp;rugby," added Mallia.

"Now we are all over the world playing in different clubs."

<h2>- 'Competition is everything' -</h2>

Deprived of the revenue from Super&nbsp;Rugby, or indeed any competition, the Argentine federation could not afford to maintain a fully professional team. Players like veteran hooker Agustin Creevy had left Worcester Warriors in England to join the Jaguares. Four years later he was back in England to join London Irish.&nbsp;

Former international flanker Leonardo Senatore says the loss of the Jaguares was "a big step back for&nbsp;rugby&nbsp;in Argentina". "It was a big change for our&nbsp;rugby. And we have seen that it has affected a lot the way we play because we don't have so much time together to put the pieces together," Senatore told AFP.

There was no immediate decline, though.

In 2020, just months after the Super&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;season was abandoned, Argentina beat New Zealand for the first time before stunning the All Blacks on home soil two years later.

But under Australian Michael Cheika, the Pumas made a poor start to this World Cup, easily beaten 27-10 by 14-man England. That left Argentina with two must-win games against Samoa and Japan. Win they did, but not without a mighty struggle. And reaching the quarter-finals is always an absolute minimum requirement for Argentina.

If Argentine&nbsp;rugby&nbsp;is to grow once again, Senatore believes the new Super&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;Americas competition is where that future development lies. It brings together teams from Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil and the United States, alongside the Cordoba-based Dogos XV and Pampas from Buenos Aires.

Both Argentine sides are made up largely of young prospects.

"Competition is everything. If you train, train, train but don't compete with the best, you will never improve," said Senatore.

"It will take more time. It is the hard way to do it. "But I think in the future, it will be great if South America or America achieve what they want, which is to improve the competition for everyone.

"It will also be really good for world&nbsp;rugby&nbsp;'cause we need more competition in the South."

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After beginning the professional era as a team of nomads, Argentina had finally found a home for their players until the Covid pandemic scattered them to the four corners of the planet.

After beginning the professional era as a team of nomads, Argentina had finally found a home for their players until the Covid pandemic scattered them to the four corners of the planet. The great Argentina team that reached the semi-finals of the 2007 World Cup in France was led by the likes of Leinster fly-half Felipe Contempomi, Sale Sharks flanker Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Stade Francais half-backs Agustin Pichot and Juan Martin "El Mago" Hernandez. If Argentina manage to repeat that feat by beating Wales in Saturday's quarter-final in Marseille, the country's new heroes will again be a band of exiles. Back in 2007, Argentine players needed to find foreign clubs to play professionally, until the creation of the Jaguares Super Rugby franchise in 2016. It was a seminal moment in Argentine rugby. The Buenos Aires-based team gave players the opportunity to stay at home while still paying top-level club rugby. Already competing in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship since 2012, Argentina's players could now also face the best of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa at club level. Also Read: Serie A: Inter Milan send warning across league with win over Napoli Playing all year round together for club and country, Argentine rugby quickly progressed. The Jaguares reached the Super Rugby final in 2019, in just their fourth season, losing 19-3 to the all-conquering New Zealander Crusaders. But Covid pulled the rug from under the Jaguares as the 2020 Super Rugby season was abandoned and the teams from Australia and New Zealand created new domestic-based competitions and the South Africans joined Europe's United Rugby Championship. Argentina's best players were once again forced to wander the earth. "Our lives changed completely with Covid," said Juan Cruz Mallia, who has managed to land on his feet at French powerhouse Toulouse. After winning the Top 14 title twice and the European Champions Cup, utility back Mallia has signed a new contract until 2026. But he would no doubt still be playing for the Jaguares if it were not for Covid. "They disappeared so we had to start looking for a new club to play professional rugby," added Mallia. "Now we are all over the world playing in different clubs." - 'Competition is everything' - Deprived of the revenue from Super Rugby, or indeed any competition, the Argentine federation could not afford to maintain a fully professional team. Players like veteran hooker Agustin Creevy had left Worcester Warriors in England to join the Jaguares. Four years later he was back in England to join London Irish. Former international flanker Leonardo Senatore says the loss of the Jaguares was "a big step back for rugby in Argentina". "It was a big change for our rugby. And we have seen that it has affected a lot the way we play because we don't have so much time together to put the pieces together," Senatore told AFP. There was no immediate decline, though. In 2020, just months after the Super Rugby season was abandoned, Argentina beat New Zealand for the first time before stunning the All Blacks on home soil two years later. But under Australian Michael Cheika, the Pumas made a poor start to this World Cup, easily beaten 27-10 by 14-man England. That left Argentina with two must-win games against Samoa and Japan. Win they did, but not without a mighty struggle. And reaching the quarter-finals is always an absolute minimum requirement for Argentina. If Argentine rugby is to grow once again, Senatore believes the new Super Rugby Americas competition is where that future development lies. It brings together teams from Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil and the United States, alongside the Cordoba-based Dogos XV and Pampas from Buenos Aires. Both Argentine sides are made up largely of young prospects. "Competition is everything. If you train, train, train but don't compete with the best, you will never improve," said Senatore. "It will take more time. It is the hard way to do it. "But I think in the future, it will be great if South America or America achieve what they want, which is to improve the competition for everyone. "It will also be really good for world rugby 'cause we need more competition in the South." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rugby: Loss of Jaguares franchise was 'big step back' for Argentina, says Leonardo Senatore

Japan quickly turned their focus to their Pool D decider against Argentina after beating Samoa 28-22 on Thursday as they eye a second consecutive quarter-final spot at the Rugby World Cup.

The Brave Blossoms were on top of things in Toulouse and prevailed with three tries by Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno and 13 points from the boot of Rikiya Matsuda.

Samoa had Ben Lam red carded early in the second half and that helped Japan even though the Pacific side mounted a late comeback with a penalty and a Christian Leali'ifano converted try. The result left Japan in second place on nine points, three ahead of third placed Samoa. England, on 14 points, qualified for the last eight as Pool D winners.

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Argentina take on Chile on Saturday and a bonus win would put them level with Japan ahead of their clash next week.

"That's our Grand Final, isn't it? We have got an opportunity to play a tier one team we have played a few times before," Japan coach Jamie Joseph said.

"All the guys are going to be really excited for that - it is a big game for us."

Argentina won their last encounter 54-20 in 2016 and their only World Cup meeting, 33-12, back in 1999, but Japan have since improved while the Pumas have been struggling recently.

To get there, Japan were made to work hard by Samoa, whose physical capacities pushed the Asian side to the limit.

"It was a really tough game and we had to work bloody hard to get the win. Hats off to the Samoan boys – they really took it to us,” Joseph said, praising his team's defence. "They are big fellas aren’t they? They got on top of us at times and we had to really keep at it for the whole game," he added.

"The commitment was certainly there but there were one or two things to work on for next week."

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Japan quickly turned their focus to their Pool D decider against Argentina after beating Samoa 28-22 on Thursday as they eye a second consecutive quarter-final spot at the Rugby World Cup.

Japan quickly turned their focus to their Pool D decider against Argentina after beating Samoa 28-22 on Thursday as they eye a second consecutive quarter-final spot at the Rugby World Cup. The Brave Blossoms were on top of things in Toulouse and prevailed with three tries by Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno and 13 points from the boot of Rikiya Matsuda. Samoa had Ben Lam red carded early in the second half and that helped Japan even though the Pacific side mounted a late comeback with a penalty and a Christian Leali'ifano converted try. The result left Japan in second place on nine points, three ahead of third placed Samoa. England, on 14 points, qualified for the last eight as Pool D winners. ALSO READ: Never intended to offend or make fun of Victor Osimhen: Napoli's official statement on viral Tik-Tok video Argentina take on Chile on Saturday and a bonus win would put them level with Japan ahead of their clash next week. "That's our Grand Final, isn't it? We have got an opportunity to play a tier one team we have played a few times before," Japan coach Jamie Joseph said. "All the guys are going to be really excited for that - it is a big game for us." Argentina won their last encounter 54-20 in 2016 and their only World Cup meeting, 33-12, back in 1999, but Japan have since improved while the Pumas have been struggling recently. To get there, Japan were made to work hard by Samoa, whose physical capacities pushed the Asian side to the limit. "It was a really tough game and we had to work bloody hard to get the win. Hats off to the Samoan boys – they really took it to us,” Joseph said, praising his team's defence. "They are big fellas aren’t they? They got on top of us at times and we had to really keep at it for the whole game," he added. "The commitment was certainly there but there were one or two things to work on for next week." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rugby World Cup: Japan already looking forward to 'Grand Final' against Argentina