Wallabies star Kurtley Beale faces trial over sexual assault allegation

Embattled Wallabies star Kurtley Beale will face court on Monday for the first day of a criminal trial into allegations he assaulted a woman at a Sydney bar.

The 35-year-old pleaded not guilty at Downing Centre Local Court last year to one count of sexual intercourse without consent, and two counts of sexual touching.

Police allege the NSW Warratah veteran sexually assaulted a 28-year-old woman at the Beach Road hotel, near Bondi Beach, late at night on December 17, 2022.

Mr Beale, who has adamantly rejected the allegations, was stood down by Rugby Australia in January 2023, just a week after he took part in a 44-man training camp.

In August, a Sydney court granted an application to vary Mr Beale’s bail to allow him to travel overseas to France to take up a contract to play rugby union there.

At the time, the court was told the 2011 John Eales medal awardee was in negotiations to play in France and had received offers from clubs, but no contract as yet.

Mr Beale, who is originally from Mt Druitt, has made over 90 national representative player appearances in his 10-year career, and has 95 caps for the Wallabies.