'Not guilty' plea to attack on Rugby Sevens captain James Stannard

A British man accused of punching Australian Rugby Sevens Captain James Stannard in an unprovoked attack has pleaded not guilty.

22-year-old Sam Oliver has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and reckless grievous bodily harm after Stannard was knocked unconscious and left with a fractured skull following the alleged assault outside a Coogee kebab shop on March 30.

As a result, Stannard was ruled out of competing in the Commonwealth Games.

Police claim Stannard and Oliver were having a friendly conversation when Stannard was punched in the head around 3am. Its alleged Oliver then ran off, before being detained by Stannard’s teammates until police arrived.

Oliver’s lawyer, Anna Heinrich, requested an expedited hearing date as the British National’s visa is due to expire on September 20. It was not granted as one of the charges has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Michael Earsman from Rugby Australia told 9NEWS today that James Stannard is rapidly improving and doctors are confident he will make a full recovery.

Oliver is due back in court on June 6.