A top international rugby star is alleged to have sexually assaulted three separate women as he celebrated with his team before a match he was due to play today.
Fijian Api Ratuniyarawa, 37, was due to play for the Barbarians against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff today.
Yet the 6ft 4in London Irish lock forward, who weighs 19st 5lb, was dropped from the squad and instead appeared in court after allegedly assaulting three women in separate incidents at the Revolution bar in Cardiff.
Ratuniyarawa had been out with other Barbarian players when he was arrested and held in custody early on Wednesday morning.
Ratuniyarawa, of Orchard, Kislingbury, Northampton, was charged with assault by penetration and touching. He denies the violations.
Fijian Api Ratuniyarawa, 37, (pictured playing the ball for London Irish) is alleged to have assaulted three women in separate incidents at the Revolution bar in Cardiff
The Barbarians team spent several nights drinking in town, including one night where they dressed up in a Wild West theme. Pictured: Ratuniyarawa (top center) and Barbarians teammates including Selestino Ravutaumada (second from left) and Simione Kuruvoli (far right)
The alleged assaults took place at the Revolution bar (pictured) in Cardiff
The rugby star was due to play for the Barbarians against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff today. Pictured: Ratuniyarawa during Barbarians training in Cardiff on October 31
Cardiff magistrates heard that none of the women knew each other and that the three alleged assaults took place independently.
Second-row Ratuniyarawa, who has played 38 times for Fiji, was named as a replacement for the Barbarians squad, which is largely made up of players from the southern hemisphere.
Prosecutor Michael Evans said: ‘Ratuniyarawa is accused of penetrating two of the women with his finger and touching the breast and body of a third woman.
‘The women were not known to each other or to Ratuniyarawa before the evening in question.’
Footage from a Barbarians training session showed Ratuniyarawa playing alongside his teammates
Ratuniyarawa (right) was seen smiling during the session alongside former Wales player Alun Wyn Jones (left in blue)
Ratuniyarawa, who spoke only to confirm his name and address, was jailed under ‘strict’ bail conditions and an electronic curfew was imposed between 7pm and 7am.
Magistrate Peter Hamley banned the player from re-entering Wales until he appears at Cardiff Crown Court on December 4.
He is not allowed to enter locations where alcohol is sold, such as bars, clubs and restaurants, and he is not allowed to contact witnesses in the case.
A spokesman for the Barbarians said: ‘As soon as we were contacted by South Wales Police we fully co-operated and assisted them with their investigation.
‘We cannot comment further on their advice as the investigation is still ongoing.’
Ratuniyarawa, from West Northamptonshire, was charged with assault by penetration and touching. Pictured: Ratuniyarawa tackling Ryan Elias during Fiji’s match against Wales in the Principality in Cardiff in 2021
Ratuniyarawa would receive £15,000 to play in the Barbarians match on Saturday
Ratuniyarawa was due to play for Fiji at the recent Rugby World Cup in France but withdrew from the squad in July due to family reasons
It is considered a great honor to be chosen for the Barbarians, a British invitational side dating back to 1890.
The Barbarians team selected to play Wales arrived in Cardiff early this week and were seen drinking in the city on several nights.
They also had a Wild West costume team meal at a French restaurant.
The team is captained by Welsh rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones, who retires after becoming the world’s most capped player with 170 appearances for Wales and the British Lions.
Players will receive £15,000 for their participation in the game.
Ratuniyarawa was due to play for Fiji at the recent Rugby World Cup in France but withdrew from the squad in July due to family reasons.
A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: ‘Api Ratuniyarawa, 37, from West Northamptonshire will appear before Cardiff magistrates charged with assault by penetration and assault by touching.’