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RFU open investigation

Wednesday 25th June 2008

RFU chief disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett is to begin his own investigation into the conduct of four England players on the tour to New Zealand.

The quartet are at the centre of a police investigation after an allegation was made that a woman was 'raped and/or sexually assaulted' in a private room at the Hilton Hotel in Auckland following the first-Test defeat to the All Blacks.

The players have maintained their innocence and with no formal complaint having been made they do not have to speak to police.

However, they will face an investigation from Blackett - with a range of sanctions from a reprimand and a warning about future behaviour to a fine and suspension available if a misconduct charge is proved.

And Blackett is aiming to reach a verdict before Team Manager Martin Johsnon decides on his elite squad on July 1.

"My remit is to see whether the players broke the regulation in the code of conduct governing behaviour which is prejudicial to the interests of the union," he told The Guardian.

"I may talk to police in New Zealand to see how their investigation is going but I want to deal with this matter as quickly as possible, certainly before Martin (Johnson) announces his squad, and I hope to have the full co-operation of the players involved. I will be telling them that nothing I do will compromise a potential criminal investigation.

"That said, nothing is going to be swept under the carpet."