Vainikolo assault charge dropped

(GETTY IMAGES)

Gloucester winger Lesley Vainikolo today had a charge dropped against him ahead of his trial for allegedly attacking a man outside a nightclub.

Vainikolo, 30, appeared at Bristol Crown Court this morning charged with causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and causing grievous bodily harm.

But prosecutor William Hunter today dropped the more serious charge of GBH with intent against Vainikolo, who appeared in court dressed in a blue suit and pink tie.

Vainikolo, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, will now stand trial for the remaining count of causing GBH.

Vainikolo was charged following an incident on October 26 last year, in which a man - Jake Alicker - was taken to hospital with head injuries.

The incident took place outside the Second Bridge nightclub in Bath's Manvers Street.

Vainikolo previously entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

Defence counsel Mark Milliken-Smith asked for more time today to contact a potential witness, a teacher based in Limerick, Ireland.

Judge Mark Horton adjourned the case to 1pm this afternoon.

Vainikolo was out of action most of last season after undergoing surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon - an injury sustained while he was playing for Gloucester against Saracens earlier this year.

The 6ft 2in, 17.5st player made his England debut in last year's RBS 6 Nations tournament.

The former Bradford Bulls rugby league player won five England caps after becoming eligible through his residency in the UK.