England rugby stars say 'girl agreed to three-in-a-bed sex' as police probe hotel 'rape' claim

As the England squad maintained a wall of silence, New Zealand rugby circles were alive with speculation about what really happened in the luxury harbourside Auckland hotel in the early hours of last Sunday.

With five days having passed since the incident, questions were being asked yesterday whether the un-named girl had been raped by one or more of the England players or had instead willingly agreed to sex, which she regretted later.

England players during training, at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland

There was further speculation that the girl had falsely cried rape knowing that she would have a salacious story to sell to the media.

Other sources suggested that the girl had run into trouble with her boyfriend for staying out all night and had made the rape claim to cover up her alleged willingness to sleep with one or more of the players.

Her boyfriend had then taken it upon himself to tell police that she had been sexually assaulted, it was suggested.

'It's not that surprising if a teenage lad gets upset when his girlfriend doesn't come home from a night out,' said an England rugby source.

Another source within New Zealand rugby circles said: 'Whichever way you look at this whole seedy affair, you can draw a reasonable conclusion as to what may have happened. Take your pick and it fits.

'And unless the young woman concerned comes forward and states publicly what happened, or unless the police are able to lay charges and there's a court hearing, we might never really know what went on in that hotel room.'

England rugby team manager Rob Andrew reads out a statement relating to the incident

Despite five days of silence from the England players themselves, there were signs late last night that the men at the centre of the incident  may agree to talk to detectives before the squad are due to return to the UK on Sunday.

Police in Auckland said they hoped that detectives would be able to interview the players in the presence of a lawyer  before the second Test tomorrow in Christchurch where the players trained yesterday.

However, the England management are understood to be concerned that questioning the players before the Test could be detrimental to their performance on field and a final decision on whether the interviews can go ahead - even without a formal complaint from the young woman - will be made today.

Last night a spokeswoman for Auckland police said: 'Members of Auckland City Police's Adult Sexual Assault Team flew to Christchurch yesterday in the hope of being able to speak with the four England Rugby Team players at the centre of a serious sexual assault allegation.

'The players have advised Police - via legal representation this morning - that they are declining to be interviewed by Police on the matter at this stage.

'Auckland City Police will continue to investigate the allegation - that a woman was raped and/or sexually assaulted by four players - as thoroughly as possible before reviewing the file.

'Any decision about where to take matters from there will depend on the outcome of that review.

'While no formal statement has been made by the woman who made the allegations, a formal complaint can be made at any time in the future and Police are then obliged to assess the evidential basis of that complaint.'

Spokesman Noreen Hegarty added: 'We are aware of the legal advise they have been given and also of the rights of individuals to silence.'

Investigation: The exterior of the Hilton Auckland

The team, now joined by Zara Phillips supporting her boyfriend Mike Tindall, are to fly out of the country on Sunday after the second test against New Zealand on Saturday night.

A  scenario that has been painted from numerous sources highlights a group of England players who head off into Auckland's bright lights after their 37-20 defeat by the All Blacks after last Saturday's game.

Some ended up in an underground bar called the Pony Club, a former male striptease venue located below a lap-dancing club and a massage parlour. The players were said to have drunk a lot and been rowdy, and taken a number of women back to their hotel.

A source close to the team said the teenager involved in the alleged rape had pursued the players from the club to the hotel and was happy to have sex with one of them - and did not protest when another player joined them from next door.

Two other players are alleged to have then gone into the room and witnessed at least some of the sexual activity, although they are not suspected of being involved in any offence.