Rugby star Api Ratuniyarawa admits sexually assaulting three women in Cardiff nightclub days before he was due to play in Barbarians match
- Api Ratuniyarawa was expected to be part of their team against Wales last month
- The 37-year-old forward withdrew from the match in Cardiff on November 4
- The attacks took place during Revolution between October 31 and November 1
Api Ratuniyarawa – the Fijian and former London Irish and Northampton striker – faces jail after pleading guilty on Monday to assault while on duty with historic rugby barbarians.
The 37-year-old was due to be in their squad against Wales last month but withdrew from the match after being arrested following the incidents at a Cardiff nightclub.
Ratuniyarawa pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one of sexual assault during the revolution between October 31 and November 1.
He entered his plea at Cardiff Crown Court.
A court previously heard that the three attacks took place independently and that none of the victims knew Ratuniyarawa or each other.
Rugby star Api Ratuniyarawa admitted the charges at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday
The 37-year-old was in Cardiff ahead of the Barbarians match against Wales last month
Ruth Smith, defending Ratuniyarawa, asked for an extension of his already 'stringent' bail conditions ahead of his January 9 sentencing.
Mrs Smith said: 'He has established links with Britain. He has been playing rugby here for many years. His wife and four children live here and have their own right to stay here.
'Two of his children were born here. He is the sole breadwinner for his family. He was employed by London Irish, which folded in May 2023, and he was in Cardiff to play a Barbarians game. It was hoped that a contract would result from this, but due to these events this did not happen and he had to apply for benefits for his family.
“That is not the case and he has several arrangements in place to ensure financial stability for his family.”
The bail application was accepted by Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke.
Meanwhile, experienced Wales full-back George North has confirmed his move to ambitious French second division side Provence for next season.
As previously reported by MailSport, North were not offered a new contract by his current employers Ospreys or any of Wales' four regional teams due to the game's financial crisis.
He will move to France with the blessing of Wales head coach Warren Gatland and plans to continue playing international rugby in the future.