Bath trio's parting shot as they hit out over probe

England flanker Michael Lipman and Bath team-mates Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins insist they only resigned because their positions at the club had become untenable.

The three players terminated their contracts yesterday immediately before they were due to appear at a club disciplinary hearing, accused of refusing to take a drugs test on three different occasions.

Bath have been conducting an internal investigation into allegations linked to drug use and fighting at an end-of-season celebration in London on 10 May.

But Lipman, Crockett and Higgins issued a joint statement through their solicitor denying they had refused to provide a sample and vowing to clear their names.

"It is with tremendous regret that we announce that, as a result of the club's actions, we have no option but to terminate our contracts with Bath Rugby with immediate effect," the players said. "During the last few weeks it became clear to us that our position within the club has been made untenable.

"We have made every effort to work with the club to resolve our differences. Sadly, we have been unable to do so."

The Rugby Football Union say they will study details of Bath's investigation before deciding whether to take any action against the players.