Naughty Higginbotham allowed to play

Wallaby forward Higginbotham was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer last week after an incident in Brisbane.

The Reds player was also charged with being found in a police establishment without a lawful excuse, police said.

The incident arose after one of his friends was arrested for urinating in public early Sunday morning, rugby.com.au reported.

It said that after his friend was detained, Higginbotham allegedly tried to intervene and had to be restrained. A taser was drawn but not used, it added.

Upon assessment of the preliminary findings of the ARU Integrity Unit investigation, Higginbotham has been allowed to return to training and will be available for selection for the Reds' upcoming trial match with the Melbourne Rebels in Brisbane on Tuesday.

An ARU Integrity Unit spokesperson said: "After finalising our initial investigation the ARU is comfortable to allow Scott Higginbotham to resume his training and playing commitments with the Reds until such time as the Police matter is resolved.

"Scott has cooperated with the investigation and has been reminded of how seriously the ARU takes off-field behaviour. There is a Police matter which is ongoing and no determination on any sanctions will be made until that reaches a conclusion."

Sources: ARU, Agence France-Presse & rugby.com.au