[Anthony Laffranchi] flew from the Gold Coast, where he played for the Gold Coast Titans on Monday night, but was not required to participate in proceedings at Burwood Local Court.

Registrar Brenda Ibbotson formally continued Laffranchi’s bail conditions, which prohibit him from approaching or contacting the complainant.

RUGBY league player Anthony Laffranchi yesterday appeared in a Sydney court charged with sexually assaulting a 26-year-old woman.

Laffranchi flew from the Gold Coast, where he played for the Gold Coast Titans on Monday night, but was not required to participate in proceedings at Burwood Local Court.

He was charged on March 6 by detectives from the NSW Child Protection and Sex Crime Squad following a six-month investigation.

Laffranchi, who played for Wests Tigers last year, has previously said he will defend the charge of having sexual intercourse without consent.

It has been alleged that the woman was assaulted on September 4 last year at a unit in Five Dock, in Sydney’s inner west, after meeting a group of people at a Kings Cross nightclub during the Tigers’ end-of-season celebrations.

Laffranchi refused to speak to reporters as he left the court.

Registrar Brenda Ibbotson formally continued Laffranchi’s bail conditions, which prohibit him from approaching or contacting the complainant.

He is unable to leave Australia other than to travel to New Zealand for contracted football commitments.

The case will return to court on May 23.