Elsom flees Ireland fearing extradition

NEWS: Former Australian and Leinster rugby player Rocky Elsom left Ireland after the Irish police officers arrived at his work and home to take him into custody.

In October the 41-year-old was found guilty in France of forgery, use of forgery, and misuse of corporate assets in 2014 and 2015 while he was president of the French club, Narbonne.

A court in the French city sentenced him in absentia to five years in prison. He was ordered to repay some €700,000 (R13m) to the club and an international arrest warrant was issued.

In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald Elsom said: “The gardaí (police) came to where I worked, came to my home, with the intention of taking me into custody.”

The newspaper reports that Elsom did not disclose how he left the country or his location, only saying he is no longer in Ireland.