Former All Black Byron Kelleher is set to appear in a French court after being accused of domestic violence by his former partner.
French newspaper Le Parisien reports Kelleher's former partner has accused him of domestic violence, saying Kelleher "became verbally and physically violent" after the birth of their son in 2015.
Their relationship ended, but when Kelleher returned to France in 2022, his ex-partner alleges the abuse continued.
"About a month after his return to France, Mr Kelleher's violence resumed," the victim said in a statement.
"He regularly consumes alcohol and in large quantities. For no valid reason, he repeatedly insults me, pushes me, pins me against the wall, punches me and strangles me."
Kelleher denied the allegations, claiming he had "not touched her".
It is not the first time Kelleher, who played 57 Tests for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2007, has had a run-in with the law.
In 2020 he faced charges of assault and wilful damage after an argument with his then-fiancee's ex-partner. In 2017 he was found guilty of domestic violence after being accused of damaging his front door while drunk and attacking his then-partner.
He also got into a brawl after a drink-driving collision in Toulouse in 2009 and was taken into custody for drink-driving in Bordeaux in 2013.
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