NRL star and former Cootamundra junior rugby league player Jack de Belin will stand trial early next year on rape allegations.
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De Belin and co-accused, Shellharbour Sharks player Callan Sinclair, appeared in Wollongong District Court on Tuesday morning where Acting Judge Paul Conlon set a starting date of March 2, 2020 for the estimated two-week trial.
The trial date means it would likely begin less than two weeks before the NRL kick-off next season.
Police will allege de Belin and Sinclair jointly raped a woman inside a Wollongong unit last December after meeting her at a CBD nightclub.
They have both been charged with five sexual assault offences including a charge of aggravated sexual assault in company causing actual bodily harm, which carries a potential life sentence if convicted.
The duo deny the allegations and have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lawyers for de Belin confirmed he will be represented by Sydney silk David Campbell, SC.
