Six Huddersfield Giants players questioned over rape claim

Six members of the Huddersfield Giants rugby league club have been released on bail, after being arrested on suspicion of rape, following an alleged incident during their pre-season preparations. The six players from the squad were questioned by police in Newcastle upon Tyne after a 22-year-old woman alleged that she was raped in the early hours of yesterday. All have been released on bail pending further inquiries. The team was staying at the Gosforth Marriott hotel, Newcastle, after arriving on Monday for a team-building exercise and training. The club's 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 19 January. "Six men have been arrested and are currently helping with inquiries. The investigation is in the very early stages and inquiries are ongoing." The players have been bailed until 18 March.