Six Yorkshire rugby players held over rape claim

The players from Huddersfield Giants Super League squad were being questioned by police in Newcastle upon Tyne after a 22-year-old woman said she was raped early yesterday.

The team was staying at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel, Newcastle, after arriving on Monday for a team-building exercise and training.

Club managing director Richard Thewlis said there would be an internal inquiry into the allegation.

In a statement on the club's website, he said: "I can confirm that six of our playing squad are currently helping police with their inquiries in the Newcastle area regarding an allegation made in the early hours of Tuesday morning by an unnamed female.

"The club has fully co-operated with all requests made of us by the police and we are now awaiting further information from them."

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "Northumbria Police can confirm that a 22-year-old woman has made an allegation of rape following an incident in Gosforth, Newcastle, in the early hours of January 19.

"Six men have been arrested and are currently helping with inquiries.

"The investigation is in the very early stages and inquiries are ongoing."

Later, members of the squad left the hotel and boarded the team coach to head off to training.