David Pocock, former Australian rugby captain, issued warning after arrest at coal mine protest

The sportsman joined around 30 demonstrators forming a blockade at the Maules Creek mine. He was arrested after chaining himself to machinery

David Pocock has received a written complaint from the Australian Rugby Union following his arrest at a coal mining protest in New South Wales on Sunday.

The former Australian captain joined around 30 environmental demonstrators forming a blockade at the Maules Creek mine.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, he was among seven people detained by police after chaining himself to a digger for 10 hours.

They were charged with offences including trespassing.

"In 2014, to put a coal mine in the middle of a state forest just doesn't seem to make any sense," the BBC quoted Pocock as saying.

"The local people are not only concerned about the effects of this mine on the climate in the future but also how it affects the water table."

He is now set to appear before Narrabri Local Court on 14 January.

The flanker, 26, who is currently out of the game following reconstructive surgery for an injury in March, has since received a formal warning from the the Australian Rugby Union.

"While we appreciate David has personal views on a range of matters, we've made it clear that we expect his priority to be ensuring he can fulfil his role as a high-performance athlete," a statement from the ARU read.

"The matter is now subject to legal proceedings, and we will now let the legal process take its course."