Former Wallaby and Queensland Reds prodigal son Scott Higginbotham has been arrested and charged after allegedly threatening police during an incident in Brisbane.
The Australian Rugby Union's integrity unit was investigating the incident, which happened in a Police Beat in the Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct early on Sunday morning.
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Reds player charged with police assault
Former Wallaby Scott Higginbotham is charged with assaulting police after allegedly forcing his way into the Fortitude Valley police beat early on Sunday morning. Nine News
In a statement, police said Higginbotham had been charged with assaulting police and being found in a police establishment without a lawful excuse.
In Queensland, a person can be charged with assault if they threatened somebody and had the ability to follow through on the threat.
Seven News reported Higginbotham entered the Police Beat, in the centre of the party precinct, after another man was arrested for a "lewd act" nearby.
A now-deleted Instagram post showed the player out with a teammate earlier in the night but a QRU spokesman said no other Reds were involved in the incident.
The 30-year-old was arrested about 1.30am but police did not confirm the incident until after 5pm.
Nine News reported his friend had been arrested at a nearby bottle shop for urinating in public, before Higginbotham tried to force his way into the Police Beat.
Higginbotham is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 21.
The Queensland Rugby Union and ARU both refused to comment in detail.
"The QRU has been made aware of an alleged incident last night involving Reds squad member Scott Higginbotham," a QRU spokesman said in a statement.
"As per rugby's protocol, we've passed this matter to the ARU's integrity unit for their consideration.
"As this is a police matter, the QRU is not able to comment further at this time."
Higginbotham returned to Ballymore this season after a two-year stint in Japanese rugby, following his departure for the Melbourne Rebels in 2013.
The Gold Coast-bred player flew back from Japan only two weeks ago and was expected to return to the field last week.
"The Queensland Rugby Union has today referred a matter to the ARU integrity unit concerning an incident involving Reds player, Scott Higginbotham in Brisbane last night," ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said, in a statement.
"The ARU integrity unit has subsequently launched an investigation into the incident today.
"As the matter is currently with Queensland Police, no further comment will be made at this time."