France prop suspended for drunk driving 

NEWS: France international prop Mohamed Haouas, who will be tried on February 4 for drunk driving, has been suspended indefinitely by his club Montpellier.

“He disappointed us with his behaviour. For me, it was important to sanction him.

“There is a precautionary suspension. We will see how it goes afterwards,” said manager Joan Caudullo.

Caudullo said he and Montpellier’s Director of Rugby Bernard Laporte met with the player on Monday.

Haouas was arrested on Sunday and then taken into police custody in Montpellier for driving under the influence.

His case will be heard on February 4, 2025.

The 30-year-old has 16 Test caps for France but was sent off on his last appearance against Scotland during the 2023 Six Nations.

He made his first start for Montpellier thos season last week against the Dragons in the Challenge Cup.

He will miss the game against another Welsh team, the Ospreys this weekend.

“He will not play this match. He will not train until further notice.

” He will also be financially sanctioned. We cannot allow this type of behaviour to happen in our club, and we have other fish to fry,” said Caudullo.

Haouas started his career at Montpellier but left in 2023 for a stint with Biarritz after a series of brushes with the law.

In May 2023 he was handed a one-year jail sentence for domestic violence.

The month after he was found guilty in a case that stemmed from a fight in a Montpellier bakery in 2014. He has appealed the verdict.

He also received a suspended sentence in February 2022, for burglaries of tobacco stores in Montpellier in 2014.

He was given another chance at Montpellier after his year in the Basque country, but owner Mohed Altrad made clear his stay at the club was conditional on “exemplary behaviour”.

Haouas had started discussions regarding a contract extension, but his future is now in Altrad’s hands.

“He will tell us what to do,” said Caudullo.

“He is the one who brought him back to the club and gave him this second chance. It is important to have his opinion.”

Montpellier, who won their first Top 14 title in 2022, escaped relegation in June in a playoff and are currently ninth on the Top 14 table this season.