England four "could be named"

The four England players at the centre of allegations of sexual assault could be named by the Rugby Football Union.

The players were accused of the assault while on tour to New Zealand but have had their identities kept secret.

While this was probably the best course of action to take in the short term, many in the sport feel that the lack of information has meant that the whole squad are thought of as guilty by association - something that RFU disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett feels needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

"The team can't come back and nothing happens," he told the Telegraph. "Something's got to happen and something has to be made public.

"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."

England lost the two-match series 2-0 but events off the pitch have overshadowed England's shortcomings on the park.