Israel Folau guilty of 'high level breach' of Rugby Australia's player code of conduct

Wallabies full-back Israel Folau has been found to have committed a 'high-level breach' of Rugby Australia Code of Conduct' for his recent anti-gay post in social media.

The 30-year-old posted on his Instagram that "Warning. Drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolators. Hell awaits you. Repent! Only Jesus saves" in response to Tasmania's decision to become Australia's first state to make it legally optional to list gender on birth certificates.

This was the second time in two years Folau made such a remark after he was fined and warned by Australia last year but nevertheless went on to sign a contract extension with both the Waratahs and the national board.

However, his second such remark sparked heavy criticism with Waratahs and Rugby Australia even threatening to terminate his contract while Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika said the full-back is unlikely to be selected again.

Folau attended a three-day hearing headed by a three-person panel and was found guilty of a high-level breach.

"The panel has today provided a judgement that Israel Folau committed a high-level breach of the Professional Players' Code of Conduct with his social media posts on April 10, 2019," Rugby Australia said.

"The panel will now take further written submissions from the parties to consider the matter of sanction."

Folau has featured in 73 Tests for Australia since his debut in 2013 and has scored 37 tries and was last seen during the end of the year European tour last year.