England rugby winger Lesley Vainikolo has appeared in court charged with causing grievous bodily harm following an incident in which a man was taken to hospital with head injuries.

The 29-year-old former Canberra Raiders player, who plays for Gloucester after converting to rugby union, was arrested after the incident outside a nightclub in Bath, southwest England, in October.

In a short hearing at Bath Magistrates' Court, he spoke only to confirm his name.

The case was sent to Bristol Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on January 13.

Vainikolo represented New Zealand at Test level in rugby league and after switching codes made his England debut in last year's Six Nations after becoming eligible through residency.

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