Six Nations: Bath in hot water over England no-show

Bath have been warned by rugby chiefs for withdrawing players from an England training session.

It is understood the club have been hit with a suspended four-figure fine by England Rugby Limited - the joint clubs/Rugby Football Union organisation.

The non-attendance at a scheduled England workout eight days ago came as Bath began preparations for a Heineken Cup quarter-final against Llanelli.

While centre Mike Tindall has reclaimed an England midfield place, his Recreation Ground team-mates Mike Catt and Danny Grewcock have both been dropped for the Calcutta Cup clash.

England manager Clive Woodward said: "The team is picked on merit, as always," said England manager Clive Woodward. All that stuff with Bath is nothing to do with me - it is all being handled by the England Rugby Limited board.

"Tindall is in the side, while the calls between Mike Catt or Will Greenwood and Danny Grewcock or Ben Kay were tight ones.

Bath general manager Bob Calleja refused to comment. But the club's stance clearly annoyed England's management team, who saw their Murrayfield plans further hampered by European quarter-finals involving Leicester and Bath take place just two days ago.

"It just makes things very difficult," added Woodward, referring to the Heineken Cup ties.

"I can't overstate the difference 24 hours makes between playing on a Friday night or Saturday, and a Sunday, in terms of preparing for what is a massive game for everyone.

"We couldn't do anything yesterday in terms of team work, because people were battered from Sunday games. But I have been saying this for the last four years. When it comes to pre-international time - and that's for all teams, not just England - you need a full seven days to prepare because it is a big thing for everyone.''