Australian Sevens rugby captain James Stannard has been hospitalised with head injuries after he was allegedly hit with a coward-punch outside a Sydney kebab shop in the early hours of Good Friday.

Stannard was out with other players when he was attacked in what police called an "unprovoked assault" on Coogee Bay Road in Sydney's east shortly after 3am.

The 35-year-old, who was also appointed as the captain for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, fell and struck his head on the pavement before he was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital.

The 22-year-old British national who allegedly threw the punch then fled the scene, but was apprehended by witnesses until police arrived and placed him under arrest.

James Stannard is recovering in hospital after suffering head injuries outside a Coogee kebab shop on Thursday night. Source: Getty More

He was taken to Maroubra Police Station and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, NSW Police said.

The man was granted bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on April 19.

Stannard suffered head injuries but is now in a stable condition.

His alleged attacker will be granted strict conditional bail and is expected to appear at Waverley Local Court Thursday 19 April 2018.

In a statement, Rugby Australia said they are working alongside police to investigate the matter.

"Rugby Australia is aware of an incident which has resulted in the hospitalisation of Australian Men's Sevens player James Stannard in Sydney overnight," the statement read.

"Rugby Australia is working with NSW Police to investigate the matter and will provide a further update later today."





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