Former Wallaby Scott Higginbotham has been charged with assaulting a police officer and illegally entering a police establishment following an incident in Brisbane in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police said a 30-year-old man had been charged and is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 21.

Rugby.com.au reports that Higginbotham was in the Fortitude Valley Mall with a friend when the pair were approached by police.

Higginbotham’s companion was then arrested for urinating on a wall.

The flanker then attempted to play “peacemaker” before allegedly trying to force his way into the Fortitude Valley police beat before being restrained by officers.

“He has tried to play peacemaker after his mate mouthed off and it got out of hand,” the site quoted a police source as saying. The Nine Network reported that a taser had been drawn but not used.

The Australian Rugby Union issued a statement saying its integrity unit was looking into the incident.

“The Queensland Rugby Union has today referred a matter to the ARU integrity unit concerning an incident involving Reds player, Scott Higginbotham in Brisbane last night,” a statement read.

“The ARU integrity unit has subsequently launched an investigation into the incident today.

“As the matter is currently with Queensland Police, no further comment will be made at this time.”

Higginbotham has played 32 Tests for the Wallabies and returned to the Queensland Reds this season following a stint in Japan.

He played 63 matches for the Ballymore side before spending three seasons with the Melbourne Rebels.