Southern hemisphere rugby stars arrested for allegedly buying cocaine in Paris

Toulon star James O'Connor and retired All Black Ali Williams have been arrested in Paris after allegedly purchasing cocaine.

The pair were spotted by police paying a drug dealer €200 outside a nightclub at 3am this morning. The Daily Telegraph are reporting no formal charges have yet been made against the pair, who were reported to be heavily intoxicated at the time. Williams, it is reported in various French outlets, threw three packets of the drug on the ground at the time of his arrest. O'Connor’s agent David Shand said he was “aware of the situation” when contacted by the Telegraph.

“I have been in touch with all relevant parties but am not prepared to make further comment,” Shand said.

O'Connor, 26, was considering a return to the Australian rugby fold ahead of the 2019 World Cup in Japan, but this incident will surely place a severe doubt on the ARU offering the controversial star a contract. His future in Toulon must also surely be in question. Williams came out of retirement to join his fellow former All Black Dan Carter at Racing, where he doubles up as a player and advisor/minder to Carter. Following on from Carter being stopped by police for drink driving, this has not been a good few weeks for the reputation of Kiwi legends in Paris. Catch up with this week's episode of 888sport Football Friday Live