Israel Folau's future in rugby will be decided at a code of conduct hearing on the 4th of May. The full-back was sacked by Rugby Australia following a social media post in which he said "hell awaits" gay people.

Folau last week requested the hearing after Australia and the New South Wales Waratahs indicated their intention to terminate his contract over those posts.

"Rugby Australia has today confirmed the Code of Conduct hearing for Wallabies and Waratahs back Israel Folau will commence on Saturday 4 May," the union said in a media statement.

"The hearing will be heard by a three-member panel consisting of John West (Chair), Kate Eastman, and John Boultbee at the Rugby Australia Building in Sydney."

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Wallabies head-coach Michael Cheika has already stated that he won't pick Folau for this autumn's World Cup, saying 'you wouldn’t be able to' when asked last about the issue last week.

“Everybody has the right – and we respect that right – to believe whatever they like, we’re not moral judgers and no one should be.

“Getting out in that disrespectful manner publicly is not what our team’s about, when you play in the gold jersey, we represent everyone in Australia – everyone. Everyone that’s out there supporting us. We don’t pick and choose.

“We had a discussion at the end of the last time and made it pretty clear about his right to believe and our support in that if that’s what he wants.

“I felt that I needed to talk to him about why, and I haven’t had that chance as yet. I’m sure I will in the future at some stage when it settles down for him a little bit. I made the calls and left the messages. There’s no beef.”

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