England and former Bradford Bulls rugby league star Lesley Vainikolo is due to appear in court on Friday charged with causing grievous bodily harm following an alleged early-morning street brawl.

Vainikolo, 29, nicknamed ‘The Volcano’, was arrested in Bath, Somerset, at 2am on October 26. A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with head injuries first thought to be critical, but was later discharged.

Vainikolo is due to appear at Bath Magistrates’ Court, charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The Tongan-born winger, who now plays rugby union for Gloucester and lives in Cheltenham, made his England debut in this year’s Six Nations tournament. The 6ft 2ins, 17.5st winger has won five England caps after becoming eligible through his residency in the UK.