Rugby star 'goaded' before punch

Lesley Vainikolo is on trial at Bristol Crown Court

Gloucester rugby star Lesley Vainikolo was verbally abused before he fractured a man's skull with one punch, Bristol Crown Court has been told.

The 30-year-old England player denies causing grievous bodily harm following a Bath nightclub incident last October.

The defence claimed someone may have shouted provocative words behind the Tongan-born winger before the incident.

The prosecution alleges he hit Jack Alicker for no reason. The trial is continuing.

The defendant just turned and punched Mr Alicker hard to the head

Prosecutor William Hunter

A charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent has been dropped.

The player, from Cheltenham, was charged following an incident outside the Second Bridge nightclub in Bath's Manvers Street.

Prosecutor William Hunter told the jury the victim had been out with friends on the night of the alleged attack.

Earlier in the evening, the men saw Mr Vainikolo and congratulated him on scoring two tries for Gloucester that day.

He said that later that evening the friends were, "laughing and joking with each other as they approached the traffic lights on North Parade."

Mr Hunter continued: "The defendant just turned and punched Mr Alicker hard to the head.

Shots and lager

"There was no reason for that."

Defence barrister Mr Milliken-Smith told the court that someone may have shouted provocative words behind the Tongan-born winger before the incident.

In his evidence, Mr Alicker told the jury he could not recall either he or any of his friends goading Mr Vainikolo, who was out that evening with other internationals including Olly Barkley.

In total Mr Alicker said he may have had between 10 and 13 drinks that night, including mixers, shots and lager.

His next clear memory was waking up in Bath's Royal United Hospital where a policeman asked him who had hit him.

Mr Milliken-Smith suggested that several phrases were uttered behind Mr Vainikolo by someone - but it was not clear who - and that the tone had become "louder and more aggressive" until some of the group were just a couple of paces behind Mr Vainikolo..

Mr Alicker said he could not recall anyone saying the words.

The trial is expected to last up to four days.