A rugby star from East Molesey appeared in court over an alleged early-morning nightclub attack, writes Gareth Davies.

England’s Jordan Turner-Hall is accused of attacking two men at Brighton’s Pryzm nightclub on October 30 last year.

The men, aged 21 and 22, were left with multiple fractures and broken teeth.

The Harlequins centre appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court alongside another defendant, James Fairhall, yesterday afternoon.

Mr Turner-Hall, 27, of Creek Road, has been charged with causing actual bodily harm and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

Fairhall, 26, of Grove Hill, Brighton, has been charged with causing actual bodily harm, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and perverting the course of justice.

Magistrates said the case would have to be referred to Lewes Crown Court on August 20, because of Fairhall’s perverting the course of justice charge.

Mr Turner-Hall, a former Patcham High School and Brighton College student, joined the Harlequins academy after school and made quick progress at both club and international level.

He made his first full international appearance against the Barbarians in 2009 before coming off the bench against Scotland at Murrayfield and Italy in Rome during the 2012 Six Nations tournament.

Yesterday he announced his retirement from professional rugby due to injury

It is the latest in a string of off-field issues hampering England’s World Cup preparations which has seen Manu Tuilagi dropped for assaulting police officers and Danny Cipriani arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.