December 02, (THEWILL) – Five rugby players from the former Grenoble team are currently standing trial in Bordeaux, France, for serious sexual assault allegations stemming from an incident in March 2017.
The legal proceedings involve three players accused of gang rape and two additional players charged with failing to prevent a crime during a night out following a rugby match.
The alleged victim, a 20-year-old student identified only as V, claims she was sexually assaulted after a night of heavy drinking in Bordeaux.
Toxicology reports indicated her blood alcohol level was between 2.2 and 3 grams, which medical experts consider within the danger zone for alcohol poisoning.
CCTV footage reportedly showed the woman having significant difficulty standing and being supported by a player upon arriving at the hotel.
Three players – Irish national Denis Coulson, New Zealander Rory Grice, and Frenchman Loick Jammes – face gang rape charges, while Chris Farrell and Dylan Hayes are accused of failing to prevent the alleged crime.
The defendants maintain that any sexual encounters were consensual, with Coulson’s lawyer suggesting the woman’s behaviour indicated willingness.
The trial, initially scheduled for June 2023 but delayed due to Coulson’s traffic accident injuries, has been conducted with media exclusion at the request of the alleged victim’s legal representatives.
The proceedings have drawn significant attention to ongoing issues of sexual misconduct within international rugby circles.
This case follows recent high-profile sexual assault allegations in rugby, including pending charges against French players in Argentina and a recent sentencing of a Fijian player in France.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
