Stars in scandal axed by Johnno

On the ball: Martin Johnson says England players must understand their responsibilities

Martin Johnson assumed responsibility for the England rugby team today and admitted allegations of a serious assault on a woman during the recent tour of New Zealand were unacceptable under his leadership.

The new manager announced his 32-strong elite squad but insisted the allegations involving four England players had not been a factor. Even so, three of those players have been left out.

Johnson made it clear a new code of conduct would be thrashed out with the squad and would form part of a new four-year deal about to be signed between the players and the Rugby Football Union.

Johnson said: "If the players haven't learned a lesson from the tour they never will. The players have to understand their responsibilities.

" There is a balance between being a twentysomething rugby player on tour and your responsibilities to the team and getting into situations where serious allegations have been made. We have picked this squad on playing matters and we cannot prejudice any inquiry. In any code of conduct there will be things that are non-negotiable and if we can't trust our players in certain circumstances then we have problems. I would be disappointed if anything like this happened on my watch.

"We cannot have serious allegations against the team. It's not what we are about. It hasn't happened before and we don't want it again. I'm aware of the public's perception of my role and my only aim is to make this team better."

Johnson did confirm the RFU inquiry into the Auckland incident could lead to a player being removed from the squad. The inquiry could come to a conclusion by the end of this week.

Three of the players named in the New Zealand tour scandal were axed today. David Strettle, Mike Brown and Topsy Ojo are relegated to the Saxons squad, while the fourth, Danny Care, keeps his place. Besides those players subject to the police investigation in New Zealand, the major casualties from the senior squad are Mike Tindall and Ben Kay. Also demoted are Nick Easter and Joe Worsley.

Brought back into the fold are Shane Geraghty, Harry Ellis, Simon Shaw and Phil Vickery. Nick Kennedy retains his place despite travelling to New Zealand and not being used.

The 12 Premiership clubs will receive around £140,000 in compensation from the RFU for every player who is included in the senior elite player squad and a lesser amount for those in the Saxons. In return, they will have to do without key players for longer periods in the regular season.

Johnson said the decision to include New Zealander Riki Flutey had been taken once the player had made himself available for England as soon as he qualifies on residency in September.

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