Fijian rugby player who assaulted woman in France facing deportation

A young Fijian rugby player has been sentenced to three months in prison after being found guilty of assault in France.

Jolame Lawebuka, 20, admitted to assaulting a 40-year-old woman in the steets of Nevers after leaving a nightclub in the early hours of the morning of September 29th in what was described as a violent attack.

Lawebuka – a centre – had been living in France since joining Pro D2 side USON Nevers Rugby.

The player was also banned from living in France for two years.

Lawebuka told the judge that he understood his visa was going to be withdrawn and that he would be forced to leave the territory at the end of his incarceration.

The Fijian is not the only rugby player to appear in a French courtroom this season.

In September former England international Steffon Armitage was found guilty of sexual assault in Pau.

The back-row was accused of inappropriately touching a 19-year-old woman in bar following a night of drinking in the French town.

Armitage was handed a suspended six-month jail sentence and ordered to pay €5,000.

Armitage had been to due to join Major League Rugby franchise The San Diego Legion, but the club cancelled his contract following his conviction.

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