22 Jul 2014

French rugby players attacked with machetes

8:02 am on 22 July 2014

The French rugby club Clermont say three internationals, who were attacked by a dozen men armed with machetes, should return to training in a month.

Julien Pierre, Aurélien Rougerie and Benjamin Kayser were attacked as they returned to their hotel in the south of France at the weekend.

The three were hospitalised.

Pierre was in the most serious condition but the club confirmed his operation was a success and that he will be back training before September.

Kayser suffered cuts to his arm and hand in the attack, with his return to fitness expected to be four weeks.

Meanwhile, centre and captain Rougerie will require between three and four weeks before he is cleared for training, the club said.

Pierre played for France against the All Blacks in the 2011 World Cup final.