Irish Rugby Player Sentenced to 14 Years for Rape in Bordeaux

Tue Oct 21 2025 14:45:33 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Denis Coulson, former rugby international, faces significant prison time after being convicted of a serious crime in France.

In a significant ruling from Bordeaux's Cour d'Assises, Denis Coulson, a former Irish U20 rugby player, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the rape of a woman in Bordeaux in 2017. Coulson, originally from Dublin and who has played for Connacht and Stade Français, was one of two former international players convicted in connection with the case. Chris Farrell, a member of Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning 2018 Six Nations squad, received a four-year sentence, with two years suspended, for failing to prevent a crime. Instead of prison, Farrell will wear an electronic tag for two years while remaining in France.

The trial involved five former teammates from FC Grenoble, with two other men convicted of rape: Loick Jammes of France, who was also sentenced to 14 years, and New Zealander Rory Grice, who was sentenced to 12 years. Another New Zealander, Dylan Hayes, received a two-year suspended sentence for similar charges. All five men denied the accusations against them throughout the proceedings.

This case brings to light the serious issues of accountability and safety within sports communities, highlighting the importance of addressing allegations of misconduct in professional sports.

The legal outcomes mark a significant moment for victims seeking justice and may impact the future behavior of sports professionals regarding consent and accountability in team environments.