Former London Irish and Northampton lock Api Ratuniyarawa appeared in court after being charged with sexual assault on the same day he was scheduled to play for the Barbarians against Wales

• Ratuniyarawa was scheduled to start on the bench at the Principality Stadium 

Api Ratuniyarawa appeared in Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with sexually assaulting three women on the same day he was due to play for the Barbarians against Wales. 

The Fiji and former London Irish and Northampton lock, 37, has been charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by touching. 

Ratuniyarawa had been scheduled to start on the bench on for the Barbarians at Principality Stadium but has been replaced by Aaron Shingler. 

‘As soon as we were contacted by South Wales Police we co-operated fully, assisting them with their enquiries,’ the Barbarians said in a statement. ‘On their advice we can’t comment any further as the investigation is ongoing.’ 

Ratuniyarawa, who was a late call-up to Fiji’s squad for the recent World Cup, denied the charges in a short hearing in the Welsh capital. Listed to the address of Orchard, Kislingbury in Northampton, Ratuniyarawa is accused of assaults which are said to have taken place in Cardiff’s Revolution bar between October 31 and November 1. 

Api Ratuniyarawa has been charged with sexual assault and attended magistrates court on the same day he was scheduled to turn out for the Barbarians

At a short Cardiff Magistrates’ Court hearing, Ratuniyarawa spoke only to confirm his name. 

Michael Evans, prosecuting, said how the three incidents happened separately and that the player did not know the women involved. 

Evans told the court Ratuniyarawa was accused of penetrating two of the women with his finger and touching the breast and body of a third woman. 

Ratuniyarawa was subjected to ‘stringent bail’ and will appear in Cardiff Crown Court on December 4. 

Between now and then, Ratuniyarawa will be subject to an electronic curfew between 7pm and 7am and will not be able to enter Wales apart from for court proceedings. 

The forward cannot contact any witnesses in the case or enter any licenced premises selling alcohol. 

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