England to tighten up on players' conduct after disastrous tour

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The team suffered two comprehensive defeats by the All Blacks but the tour was overshadowed by allegations against four players of serious sexual assault.

No contest: All Black's Ma'a Nonu takes on England's Jamie Noon

While the squad's code of conduct for the tour did not prevent players bringing women back to the team hotel, a new set of standards has been agreed and will come into force from July 1, when the players sign their new elite rugby contracts.

Andrew, director of elite rugby at the Rugby Football Union, admitted the RFU would be looking to tighten up procedures off the pitch.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme: 'We've said we are looking at all those areas because we have a new contract with the players that comes into force on July 1.

'We've never had a contract with the players before as the RFU and under the new agreement with the clubs, part of that is a new contract between the RFU and the players.

'There are lots of issues we are negotiating with the players' union at this point of time.'

New coach Martin Johnson and the RFU will soon announce both an elite player squad and a junior squad and Andrew confirmed the code of conduct will be in place for the next tour.

'Absolutely and they will be in place by July 1 because the players who are announced in the EPS squad have to sign a contract with the RFU.'

The former England fly-half also admitted it had been a "difficult week" with the image of the English game tainted although the four involved have all denied any wrongdoing in the "strongest terms".

'It's been a difficult week, a tough week for all concerned,' Andrew continued.

'We've had to deal with it in the best way we possibly can given the fact there is an ongoing police inquiry and that makes it difficult for us to comment on any of the issues.

'But in the circumstances the players' commitment yesterday to the shirt was first class.

'We were very disappointed with the final score but they put their bodies on the line. There were a lot of young guys out there.'