Former Scotland rugby international Tim Visser to go on trial charged with rape

Former Scotland rugby international Tim Visser is set to go on trial charged with controlling, abusing, and raping a woman, with accusations spanning 14 years. The charges relate to incidents alleged to have occurred in Edinburgh and elsewhere between 2010 and 2024. Prosecutors allege Visser, 39, who earned 33 caps for Scotland and played for clubs including Newcastle Falcons, Edinburgh and Harlequins, raped the woman on multiple occasions, including claims of sex after consent had been withdrawn. Additional counts allege repeated threatening and abusive behavior, including that he “took intimate images” without consent and sent unwanted calls and texts. The defense, represented by Ian Duguid, entered a plea of not guilty. Trial is scheduled for 12 January 2028 in Edinburgh.