England players warned over ticket controversy

ENGLAND players will face possible disciplinary action if there is any repeat of the tickets saga that has blighted preparations for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Wales.

Wing Ben Cohen’s personal ticket allocation has been suspended by Twickenham chiefs for the season. And Bath pair Olly Barkley and Matt Stevens are also set to receive a Rugby Football Union rap on the knuckles.

The issue revolves around players’ tickets ending up with unlicensed companies offering unofficial hospitality packages at England matches.

Coach Clive Woodward held clear-the-air talks with his squad on Monday, and last night vowed there would be no repeat.

“I’ve had a chat with the players about it, and they are under no illusions about what’s happening at Twickenham in terms of the clampdown (on tickets). It won’t happen again,” said Woodward.

“This squad of players set incredibly high standards in everything they do, and one or two of them made an error.

“There has been a lot going on behind the scenes, and it has all added up, and that’s why we deserved to get beaten by Ireland,” he added.

Woodward also found himself defending the absence of flanker Neil Back from his 22 to face Wales.

Back will retire from international rugby after the Six Nations, and aired his views in a tabloid newspaper.

“Neil Back has not been picked on merit,” said Woodward. “I’ve probably given Neil Back 99% good news, so he has got to cop the bad news when it comes. We are not here to look after people’s retirement parties.”