Three French national players hurt in nightclub machete attack
Group of assailants assaulted Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Pierre and Benjamin Kayser as they walked back to their hotel
French glamour club Clermont expressed shock and anger after three of their star players were attacked and injured by a group of blade-wielding assailants outside a nightclub at the weekend.
French internationals Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Pierre and Benjamin Kayser were attacked as they walked back to their hotel at night, the club said.
Pierre, who with Rougerie was in the French team that lost the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, was to undergo surgery on "deep cuts" to his hip.
The entire club is deeply shocked and outraged by these acts and will bring all the necessary support to local authorities
All three were taken to hospital after the attack in the southern town of Millau, but none of their injuries were life-threatening, the club said.
"As they walked back to their hotel overnight on Saturday, a group of players was assaulted by a dozen people carrying weapons including machetes and sabres," the club said.
The players were briefly staying in Millau on their way to a training camp. Police said the incident took place around 3am after the players went to a nightclub, where they may have had a row with other revellers. French newspapers speculated the players may have tried to help a woman who was being harassed on the dance floor.