Oscar Jegou learns his fate after delayed disciplinary hearing

An independent disciplinary committee has found France flanker Oscar Jegou guilty of making ‘reckless contact with the eye(s)’ during Les Bleus’ 50-40 defeat to Scotland last weekend.

Jegou appeared to gouge Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman approaching the hour mark as he tried to disrupt a maul. Although it went unpunished on the field of play by the match officials, the incident was replayed extensively on social media, and during the BBC’s live coverage of the match, and Jegou was later cited.

The disciplinary committee had amended the charge to include the word ‘reckless’, after delaying the hearing by 24 hours, and upheld the citing, finding that the player had committed the relevant act of foul play and that the conduct had warranted a red card.

The disciplinary report concluded: “In applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, the low-end entry point of six weeks was deemed appropriate in light of the fact that (among other reasons) there was no injury caused to the victim.

“In light of mitigating factors (including the player’s good conduct and good disciplinary record), the independent Disciplinary Committee applied a two-week reduction in sanction, thus reducing the final sanction to four weeks. There were no aggravating factors to increase the sanction. The player was reminded of his right of appeal.”

The four-week playing suspension will cover the following matches:

Saturday, 14 March 2026 – France v England
Saturday, 21 March 2026 – La Rochelle v Pau
Saturday, 28 March 2026 – Bayonne v La Rochelle
Saturday, 4 April 2026 – Newcastle v La Rochelle