England international Olly Barkley has been acquitted by a court after an assault charge against him was abandoned.

In December Barkley was alleged to have caused actual bodily harm to a fellow guest at a July wedding, but the accusation was dropped at Ayelsbury Crown Court for a lack of evidence.

"I am naturally relieved by the decision today, but disappointed that it should have ever come to court," Barkley said via Malletts Solicitors. "I hope that my performances this season will stand me in good stead with Gloucester and England next season and that I can continue to go from strength to strength.

"I am really pleased that I am now able to put this behind me. I refused to allow it to affect me on the pitch, and hopefully my performances have demonstrated that.

"But now I am just happy to move on from it and do what I can to bring home some silverware this season."

Barkley, who has 21 England caps and is set to join Gloucester from Bath in the summer, had vehemently denied any wrongdoing from the outset and was supported by the RFU's director of elite rugby, Rob Andrew.

"This has been hanging over him for nine months and it must have been a very anxious time," said Andrew.

"However, he has focused on his club rugby and been a driving force behind Bath rugby's success this season.

"He will of course be under consideration for the New Zealand tour squad to be announced on Tuesday May 13."

Reda Maher / Eurosport