French players attacked with machetes
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Three French internationals have been attacked with machetes and sabres in the southern French town of Millau.
In the early hours of Saturday night, Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Pierre and Benjamin Kayser were assualted by a dozen armed men carrying a variety of weapons.
The players were on their way back to their hotel after leaving a club.
The French international were briefly staying in Millau on their way to a training camp for ASM Clermont Auvergne.
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 ASM Clermont club said.
All three were rushed to hospital after the attack, but none of their injuries were life-threatening, the club said.
"As they walked back to their hotel overnight Saturday, a group of players was assaulted by a dozen people carrying weapons including machetes, sabres," the club said.
Police said the incident took place at around 3.00 in the morning after the players left a local nightclub, where they may have engaged with other revellers.
Jean-Marc Lhermet, ASM Clermont's sporting director, said the attack was 'as unexpected as it was brutal.'
"No one was expecting that. The evening had gone really well," he said, adding that Kayser and Rougerie were due to leave hospital on Sunday evening after sustaining injuries on their arms," he siad
"The entire club is deeply shocked and outraged by these acts and will bring all the necessary support to local authorities who have launched a probe."
Rougerie, 33, is Clermont's captain and has 77 caps for France. Kayser, 29, has played 24 times for France and Pierre, 33, has 27 caps.
SAPA
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