Grenoble stars Denis Coulson, Rory Grice and Loick Jammes charged with gang rape

Grenoble's Denis Coulson, Rory Grice and Loick Jammes have been charged with the gang rape of a 21-year-old woman in Bordeaux. The Irishman, Frenchman and New Zealander are alleged to have raped the woman in hotel after meeting her in a nightclub in Bordeaux, and could face prison sentences of up to 20 years if they are found guilty.

The players were reprimanded by Bordeaux police on Tuesday (11 April) after initially being questioned in late March. Prosecutors told Sport24 that there was "serious or consistent evidence against them which makes their participation likely, as perpetrators or accomplices, in the offence of which they have been accused."

Jammes' lawyer, Berard Boulloud, said the accusation will now allow "access to the case file to put forward a real defence for our respective clients, respecting the presumption of innocence".

Two other Grenoble stars, Chris Farrell and Dylan Hayes, were also questioned by local authorities but were not charged. Australian lock Peter Kimlin was interrogated along with the rest of his Grenoble teammates last month but was not brought in for further questioning on Tuesday, unlike the aforementioned quintet.

All six players were suspended by the Top 14 outfit for around two weeks last month, and the club may see fit to take further action in light of recent events. The trio are forbidden from contacting the iraccuser and are not allowed to leave France. They must also report regularly to a police station.