French rugby player arrested for suspected attempted murder

Castres - A member of French rugby club Castres' youth academy is under investigation for attempted murder after he was arrested in connection with an attack on his girlfriend's former partner, a source told AFP on Monday.

He is suspected of luring the man to a meeting after seeing text messages his girlfriend received from her ex-boyfriend.

He allegedly set up the encounter by pretending to be a woman by text message before inflicting multiple strikes to the man's head.

The injuries have left the victim in a life-threatening condition in a Toulouse hospital.

"Castres Olympique take note with astonishment and dismay the private activities of a member of its youth academy," the club said on Monday.

"Under these circumstances, the thoughts of the club are with the victim and his family," it added.

The legal investigation has been handed over to criminal magistrates at Toulouse's court.