UPDATED 9.50am: Former All Black Byron Kelleher is in custody in France after what local media say is a domestic violence incident after a drunken night.

L'Equipe reports the former halfback was arrested drunk on the streets of Toulouse.

He's accused of damaging a building door and manhandling a woman with him.

The 39-year-old runs a rugby-themed bar called Haka Corner in Toulouse, where he played rugby until five years ago.

Kelleher has faced two previous charges of drink driving and was in a brawl after a crash while drink driving for which he was fined and received a two-month suspended sentence.

Following the 2009 incident, Kelleher made a public apology to local media.

"It should never have taken this turn,'' he told La Depeche, with the help of an interpreter. "I got stupidly upset. Especially because of the alcohol and I had false friends who dragged me to do the wrong thing.

"I don't want people from Toulouse to think this is normal and that what happened doesn't affect me.

"I am not a mercenary who comes to play for a year or two, takes his money and comes back home.''