Prosecutors have requested a six-month suspended prison sentence for La Rochelle’s Australia loose forward Lopeti Timani for throwing a bottle outside a nightclub last May.
The 29-year-old threw a bottle at two bouncers in the early hours of 12 May last year after he was escorted out of a local nightclub. One suffered a face wound that forced him to miss at least eight days' work.
The bouncers then reportedly retaliated together, without causing Timani any serious injuries. They were later charged with organised violence.
Prosecutors requested suspended jail sentences of six months and three months for the bouncers respectively.
Tongan-born Timani, who has played 12 times for Australia, apologised for throwing the bottle at Monday's hearing.
"I didn't want to hurt someone, I threw it over my shoulder without looking," Timani said, adding he had deliberately not reacted when he was subsequently attacked. "If I'd fought it would have been the end of my career" at La Rochelle.
LIST | 5 wonderkids who could star for England at 2023 Rugby World Cup
Here are five players who could potentially break into the England set-up...
1. Josh Hodge
- Current number of caps: 0
- Position: Fullback
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 23
One of England’s most exciting upcoming talents, the fullback is built in the same mould as All Black Damian Mckenzie. Safe under the high ball and blessed with incredible pace, expect him to play a key role f=or Newcastle Falcons on their return to the Premiership. Hopefully he'll then be in a place to make a bid for international honours.
2. Marcus Smith
- Current number of caps: 1
- Position: Fly-half
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 24
Smith's rapid rise shows no signs of slowing down – it took barely a year for him to go from captaining Brighton College in an unbeaten season to involvement in the senior England squad. Therefore, it's not unthinkable that he'll be leading England's bid to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time.
3. Jack Maunder
- Current number of caps: 1
- Position: Scrum-half
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 27
A lot of the English scrum-halves are ageing, meaning this is a direct choice between the Exeter Chiefs man and Ben Vellacott. However, his emergence as a premier playmaker in such a short space of time makes us think he will continue to get better, which will lead to him establishing himself in the England set-up.
4. Joel Kpoku
- Current number of caps: 0
- Position: Lock
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 24
The next star off the Saracens production line may be Kpoku, although the lock has been linked with a move to Northampton Saints due to the presence of Itoje, George Kruis and Nick Isiekwe at his current club. An incredibly hard-hitting carrier in the mould of Eben Etzebeth, a selection in the coming months would not be surprising.
5. Joe Marchant
- Current number of caps: 3
- Position: Centre
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 27
A black belt in karate and also a former England schools finalist in gymnastics which would suggest the centre is blessed with power and poise! Has been involved in Eddie Jones's squad in the build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and is someone we'd expect to step up heading into the 2021 Six Nations when he returns from Super Rugby and beyond.
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