Former France Under-20s international Paul Costes has been hospitalised after suffering serious injuries in a road traffic accident involving a scooter in Paris. The 23-year-old Racing 92 centre was involved in the incident on Thursday, with reports in France suggesting he lost control of his scooter in wet conditions.
Serious Injuries and Expected Recovery
According to French outlets La Dépêche du Midi and L'Équipe, Costes is understood to have suffered serious injuries to his spleen and liver and is expected to remain under medical observation until Sunday. The injuries are expected to sideline him for several months, dealing a significant blow to Racing 92 and the player, who only joined the Parisian club from Toulouse this summer.
Costes started at outside centre in Racing's opening two Top 14 fixtures but has not featured since their defeat to Lyon on September 12. He had already been struggling with a muscle injury, which head coach Patrice Collazo described as a short-term issue earlier this week.
Career Highlights with Toulouse and France
The centre began his professional career with Toulouse, making his senior debut against Bayonne in October 2022. He scored his first senior try the following week in a 16-16 draw against Stade Français. Costes went on to become part of a successful Toulouse side, helping them win their fourth consecutive Top 14 title last season. He made 14 league appearances during the campaign, scoring three tries.
He also enjoyed European success with Toulouse, winning the Champions Cup in 2024 and featuring off the bench in the round of 16 and quarter-final stages of the competition. At international level, Costes represented France at Under-20s level and was part of the side that won the 2023 World Rugby Under-20 Championship. He scored against England in the semi-finals of that tournament.
Impact on Racing 92
The full extent of Costes' recovery timeline remains unclear, but the injuries are expected to keep him out of action for a significant period of the season.
