Bastareaud 'attempted suicide' - reports

The French rugby player who claimed he was attacked as he returned to his Wellington hotel has attempted suicide, according to reports.

Mathieu Bastareaud, 20, lied that he was set on from behind by up to five men following the second rugby test between France at the All Blacks in Wellington on June 20, leaving him with a serious eye injury.

Police investigated the incident for several days last week, before Bastareaud admitted he lied.

He said he had drunk too much after his France's 14-10 loss to the All Blacks and had hit his head on a table back at the hotel.

French website L'Equipe reported that Bastareaud would have liked to "end his days".

Max Guazzini, president of Bastareaud's club side Stade Francais, told French media the player was now being treated at an unnamed Paris facility due to "severe psychological problems".

Mr Guazzini said Bastareaud was "completely ruined" and needed rest. He would remain under observation for two weeks.

The latest twist in the saga followed reports that Bastareaud's injuries may have actually been caused by a punch from a team-mate.

"Drunk and aggressive, Bastareaud was reportedly calmed down by a fist from one of his team-mates," the daily Le Parisien reported.

Louis Picamoles and Fulgence Ouedraogo were both reported to have been involved in the incident, although both players denied the claims.

An internal investigation by the team said Picamoles and Ouedraogo arrived back at the Holiday Inn at 5.22am on June 21 in a taxi with two women.

Bastareaud arrived at the same time in a second taxi.

Picamoles and Bastareaud were among four injured players who flew home from the tour last Monday, while Ouedraogo stayed on to play against the Wallabies.

Bastareaud admitted fabricating the street attack in a statement on the Stade Francais website.

"I was ashamed and panicked and I thought I would be sent packing by the team management," he said.

"I told the original story because I thought it would be believed, but given the coverage it has subsequently received I thought it would be better to tell the truth."

- NZPA