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 due to be part of their team to face Wales last month 
• The 37-year-old forward withdrew from the match in Cardiff on November 4
• The attacks took place at Revolution between October 31 and November 1

Api Ratuniyarawa – the Fiji and former London Irish and Northampton forward – is facing jail after he pleaded guilty on Monday to sexual assault while on duty with historic rugby side Barbarians.

The 37-year-old was due to be part of their team to face Wales last month but withdrew from the match after being arrested following the incidents at a Cardiff nightclub.

Ratuniyarawa admitted guilt on two counts of assault by penetration and one of sexual assault at Revolution between October 31 and November 1.

He entered his plea at Cardiff Crown Court.

A court previously heard the three attacks happened independently of each other and 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 to his already ‘stringent’ bail conditions ahead of his sentencing on January 9.

Ms Smith said: ‘He has fixed ties to the UK. He has played rugby here for a significant number of years. His wife and four children reside here and have their own right to remain 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 present in Cardiff to play a Barbarians game. It was hoped a contract would flow from that but because of these events that did not happen and he has had to apply for benefits for his family.

‘That is not in place and he has various appointments to secure financial stability for his family.’

The application for bail was accepted by Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke.

Meanwhile, experienced Wales back George North has confirmed his move to ambitious French second division side Provence for next season.

As previously reported by MailSport, North wasn’t offered a new contract by his current employers Ospreys or any of Wales’ four regional sides 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 moving forwards.

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