Australia's Beale pleads not guilty to sexual assault

Australia international Kurtley Beale has pleaded not guilty to three charges of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident in a bar near Bondi Beach last year.

The 34-year-old, who was suspended from all rugby after his arrest last December, has been charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of sexual touching.

Beale, who is on bail, will next face the court in central Sydney in mid-July when a trial date will be set, Australian Associated Press reported.

"I'm not guilty," Beale told reporters outside the court.

"The allegation has been falsely (brought) against me and the truth will come out."

The utility back, who has played 95 times for his country, returned to Australia late last year with the New South Wales Waratahs after playing for two years in France.