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Api Ratuniyarawa misses Barbarians game after Cardiff court appearance
By Liam Heagney
The Barbarians have been forced to make a change to their line-up for Saturday’s match in Cardiff versus Wales after Api Ratuniyarawa appeared at the local magistrates court charged with sexual assault.
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According to media reports, the 37-year-old Fijian lock – who spent six seasons at Northampton before switching to London Irish last year and then playing in late August for Bayonne – is accused of sexually assaulting three women at a Cardiff city centre club between October 31 and November 1, allegations which he has denied.
A story on walesonline.co.uk read: “Ratuniyarawa appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court on Saturday morning, November 4, and spoke only to confirm his name.
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“Prosecuting Michael Evans told the court how the three alleged incidents happened independently of each other, with the women not known to each other or to Ratuniyarawa before that night.
“Addressing Ratuniyarawa, magistrate Peter Hamley subjected him to a ‘stringent bail’ before the case reaches Cardiff Crown Court on December 4.
“During his bail, Ratuniyarawa will have an electronic curfew between 7pm and 7am, he will not be able to enter Wales apart from for court proceedings.
“He will also not be able to contact any witnesses in the case and is not allowed to enter any licensed premises selling alcohol, such as bars, clubs and restaurants.”
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The Barbarians said: “As soon as we were contacted by South Wales Police we cooperated fully, assisting them with their inquiries. On their advice, we can’t comment any further as the investigation is ongoing.”
Ratuniyarawa was named in midweek on the Barbarians’ bench by Eddie Jones for the match that is a farewell game to Wales legend Alun Wyn Jones.
