England rugby four may be named

Published on Monday 23 June 2008 23:44

THE four England players at the centre of allegations of sexual assault in New Zealand could be named by the Rugby Football Union to protect other squad members.

English rugby's governing body is considering an internal inquiry, which would be overseen by disciplinary officer, Jeff Blackett.

"The consideration that there are a number of entirely uninvolved players – and that unless others are named those innocent players may be tainted by association – is a consideration we have to think about," Blackett said.

Two crushing defeats by the All Blacks were overshadowed by allegations of serious sexual assault against four players.

The squad landed at Heathrow Airport at 11.35am yesterday, but the players, under instructions not to comment, made their way through Terminal 4's arrivals area.

Rob Andrew, the RFU's director of elite rugby, said: "We are pleased to be back."

Asked if the tour was "a bit of a nightmare all round", he said: "Look, we have got to wait and see what happens. We are still part of an on-going police inquiry. As far as the players are concerned, we have to support them in this."

Andrew said lawyers had advised him not to name the four players allegedly involved.

New Zealand police said they were investigating after an 18-year-old woman made claims of sexual assault or rape against four England players. But in the absence of an official complaint from the woman, the four were free to leave the country.

The incident allegedly took place at the team hotel in Auckland on the night after the first Test, which the All Blacks won 37-20. The players refused to speak to detectives after taking legal advice but vigorously denied the allegations.

In response to the scandal, England rugby bosses announced a new set of standards for the players, including a clause preventing them bringing women back to the team hotel.

Andrew added: "We have to look at some of the issues that have not been addressed in the past, like curfews and women at the team hotels. There's never been a protocol around that – there's not needed to be – but we have to educate the players to the risks they're taking sometimes."

British and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan believes if incoming England team manager Martin Johnson had been present on the tour the alleged incident may have been prevented.

"Martin knows what it takes to win games, and he could relax in the right way. He would set an example where he would not allow this environment to develop," said McGeechan.

"The younger players look to the senior players to set the example. Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio, I can think of two, just would not have let this happen (when they played]."