Rugby stars' accused of ticket deal

The Rugby Football Union is to investigate its international players following allegations that some pooled their match tickets and sold them on to corporate hospitality companies on the black market.  

The RFU said it was "extremely concerned" to learn of the claims, which come three days after the game's top sportsmen thrashed out a deal with their ruling body which averted a threatened strike over pay.

Each member of England's 22-man squad is entitled to three free tickets and 10 more at face value, but the conditions set out on the back of the ticket state they cannot be sold at more than their face value.

The claims are made in the Sunday Telegraph, which reports that former England players say the practice of selling tickets goes back many years.

England scrum-half Matt Dawson, speaking to the newspaper following the team's 19-0 victory against Argentina at Twickenham, said: "I have no knowledge of any England player selling their tickets."

In a statement, the RFU said: "The RFU is extremely concerned to learn of these allegations and will immediately mount an appropriate inquiry, to which all necessary resources will be committed.

"It is hoped that The Sunday Telegraph will cooperate fully with the RFU so that we can establish the full facts."