England

The Rugby Football Union have confirmed that they will be calling the four under-fire former Bath players, Justin Harrison, Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins, in for a disciplinary hearing.

All four players have recently terminated their deals with their club following allegations that they had been involved in illegal drug taking activities and a bar brawl at an end of season function in London earlier this year.

The RFU, in a statement released on Wednesday evening, confirmed that they had reviewed the cases and now believe they are in a position begin the next phase of the process.

"[The RFU] can confirm that it will be asking the players to appear before an RFU disciplinary panel charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Game [rule 5.12] on a number of charges including taking prohibited substances and wilful refusal to take a drugs test.

"All details of the investigation now form part of the disciplinary process and to protect the integrity of the process will remain confidential.

"The RFU will make a further announcement when the panel has been convened and a date has been set but can confirm it intends to call a number of players, club management and other third parties to appear before the panel to support its case."

Harrison, the first player to leave the club following the allegations, was believed to have already returned to Australia but the other three, Lipman, Higgins and Crockett have all made it clear that they intend to clear their names of any wrong doing.

With thanks to the RFU.