last updated: Friday 20 June 2008, 00:02am

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Sex claims against England players

Rugby ball

Police in New Zealand have confirmed they are investigating sex attack claims against four England rugby players.

Two players are reported to have had sex with an 18-year-old girl in a hotel room in Auckland, where the team are on tour, while two other players watched.

Police confirmed the allegation is one of rape or serious sexual assault and said the unnamed players had declined to be interviewed by officers after taking legal advice.

Auckland City Police said in a statement: 'Members of Auckland City Police's Adult Sexual Assault Team flew to Christchurch yesterday in the hope of being able to speak with the four England Rugby Team players at the centre of a serious sexual assault allegation.

'The players have advised police - via legal representation this morning - that they are declining to be interviewed by police on the matter at this stage.

'Auckland City Police will continue to investigate the allegation - that a woman was raped and/or sexually assaulted by four players - as thoroughly as possible before reviewing the file.'

The statement went on: 'Any decision about where to take matters from there will depend on the outcome of that review.

'While no formal statement has been made by the woman who made the allegations, a formal complaint can be made at any time in the future and police are then obliged to assess the evidential basis of that complaint.'

The alleged incident occurred in a room at the Hilton Hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning, following England's 37-20 defeat to the All Blacks.

The team are in Christchurch preparing for the crucial second test against the All Blacks.

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