Former rugby internationals Ali Williams and James O'Connor have been arrested on drugs charges, having allegedly attempted to buy cocaine near a Paris nightclub.

Ex-New Zealand lock Williams and former Australia back O'Connor were arrested at around 3am local time on Saturday near the Champs Elysees avenue.

A 2011 Rugby World Cup winner with the All Blacks, Williams now plies his club trade for Racing 92 and the French outfit have announced that the player has been suspended as a precautionary measure.

"If the investigation confirms [Williams's] possession of cocaine and the transaction, it would not only be a crime under the law but also a serious mistake in view of our ethics," the club said in a statement.

O'Connor made 44 appearances for Australia before retiring in 2013 and is currently on Toulon's books.

Another former All Black playing for Racing 92, Dan Carter, apologised earlier this week after allegedly failing a drink-drive test in France.