Johnno gets tough on England's rugby stars

Martin Johnson has warned his elite players to be more responsible following England's troubled summer tour to New Zealand.

The tour, which team manager Johnson missed to attend the birth of his second child, was overshadowed by unsubstantiated allegations of sexual assault levelled against four squad members.

Johnson was also furious that a group of players stayed out partying until the small hours following England's heavy opening Test defeat in Auckland.

And during a four-day England training camp this week, Johnson laid down the law to his 32-man elite squad.

"We sat down as a group and talked about their future behaviour and their responsibilities," he said.

"What they have been through this year cannot be allowed to happen again. The players recognise that. There is no harsher lesson than what they went through in New Zealand.

"We have had a couple of meetings and it has been addressed by the players in no uncertain terms.

"If you can get guys to take responsibility for themselves as rugby players and professional athletes then that is ideal."