Centre Mathieu Bastareaud plays his club rugby for Stade Francais

France centre Mathieu Bastareaud has admitted to lying after claiming he was forced to leave the tour of New Zealand after being attacked in Wellington.

Bastareaud originally said he was set upon by four or five people outside his hotel, but now claims he fell over a table in his hotel room.

New Zealand's Prime Minister, John Key, was moved to apologise after news of the attack surfaced on Sunday.

But the 20-year-old Stade Francais star said: "I owe the truth to everybody."

Bastareaud, who was sent back to France from Australia on Monday, suffered facial cuts and severe bruising in what he claimed was an unprovoked attack following Saturday's 14-10 loss to New Zealand in Wellington.

But he made the admission after being told of CCTV footage which showed him showing him returning uninjured early on Sunday morning, Wellington area commander Inspector Peter Cowan told Radio New Zealand.

"On Saturday evening, I returned to the hotel after having drunk too much," said Bastareaud. "I fell in my bedroom and scarred my cheekbone on the table in the room.

It was simply jolly japes by a youngster. He had too much to drink, came back to his hotel and fell over the table Stade Francais owner Max Guazzini

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

"I recounted 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."

Bastareaud added that he had not wanted to upset his family, who are deeply religious.

"I did not want my family to be ashamed," he said. "I panicked and I dug myself deeper into a hole.

"I would like to apologise to the New Zealand Federation, to the city of Wellington, to the French players, the coaching staff, my team, my friends and all of those who were part of the story."

The French Rugby Federation said it would begin an inquiry into the matter.

"Pierre Camou, president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), wishes to apologise to the people of New Zealand and to the New Zealand Federation," the FFR said in a statement.

"New Zealand and the rugby world must have legitimately felt hurt by the player's initial statements which also harm the image of French rugby."

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said: "Like all New Zealanders, I am extremely disappointed with this series of events and will be expressing that concern to the French Rugby Federation."

Stade Francais owner Max Guazzini issued a statement saying the incident was youthful misadventure.

"It was simply jolly japes by a youngster," said Guazzini. "He had too much to drink, came back to his hotel and fell over the table in his room. He has now gone on holiday to the French West Indies."

Bastareaud had been out on Saturday night after his side's second Test defeat to the All Blacks. He was an unused replacement in that 14-10 loss.

Bastareaud, who suffered a suspected broken eye socket and needed stitches to facial cuts, misses this weekend's Test against Australia.

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