Bristol and England forward appears in court charged with rape

Bristol Bears hooker Will Capon, 26, who has represented England at both Under-20 and Under-18 level and plays professionally in the Premiership, is accused of the assault in Exeter in September 2021.

The hooker came through Bristol’s academy system and has made senior appearances for the club in domestic competitions.

He appeared at Exeter Crown Court where he denied the charge.

A trial has been scheduled to take place at the same court in September next year.

Capon, of Bristol, was granted unconditional bail by a judge pending the trial.