A Fiji rugby international has admitted sexually assaulting three women days before he was due to play for the Barbarians in Cardiff.

Api Ratuniyarawa pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday to two counts of assault by penetration and a further charge of sexual assault.

The 37-year-old denied two further charges of sexual assault relating to one of the three women.

He had been due to feature on the bench for the Barbarians in a match against Wales at the capital’s Principality Stadium on 4 November.

The court heard the offences took place between 31 October and 2 November.

The dad-of-four has been without a club since England premiership side London Irish went into receivership in the summer.

Ruth Smith, defending, told the court Ratuniyarawa was hoping an appearance for the Barbarians would lead to winning a new playing contract, but he has since had to apply for benefits.

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“These are matters [that] arose out of primarily the consumption of alcohol,” she said.

“He is someone who has very fixed ties to the UK and has played rugby here for a significant number of years.

“His wife and four young children are resident here and have their own right to remain here and two of his children were born in the UK. He is not a flight risk.”

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Ratuniyarawa was released on conditional bail.

Those conditions include residing at his home address, abiding by an overnight curfew and surrendering his passport.

He was also placed on the sexual offenders’ register.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, adjourned the case until 9 January for sentencing.

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