ALEX LOWE

Martin Johnson has vowed to crack down on ill-discipline as he attempts to deal with the fall-out of England's disastrous tour of New Zealand.

Four members of the touring squad are under investigation by both Auckland police and the Rugby Football Union after an allegation of rape and/or sexual assault was made against them. All four players deny any wrong-doing, and no formal complaint has been made to the police, but the whole episode has forced Johnson and the RFU to address player conduct as a matter of urgency.

England's players were also criticised for enjoying a night on the town in Auckland hours after they had suffered a heavy defeat in the first Test against the All Blacks.

On his first official day as England's new team manager, Johnson warned discipline is right at the top of his agenda.

"The allegations made against the England team were serious - we can't have that for our players, for our team, for our sport," he said. "It is not what we are about. The England team has never had it before - and we should never have it again."

All players contracted to England - both in the senior squad and with the Saxons - will have to abide by a new code of conduct.

Johnson, who missed the tour for the birth of his second child, will lay down the law when England's new 32-man squad congregate for a five-day training camp in August.

England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain will detail from personal experience how vital it is to foster the right culture in his new-look squad.

"You can write down a code of conduct on a piece of paper, but the guys need to have a set of behaviours they adhere to within a team," he said. "The successful teams I played in all had a culture that was based around the characters who were there.

"We need to get to that point. This team needs to find its own culture and its way of operating in the modern rugby world, which has been changing for the last few years."

Johnson will look towards his senior players to perform a vital role in creating the right environment for the youngsters coming into a squad.

He named four uncapped players in his first senior 32, plus a host of inexperienced players. But he has recalled the experience of Josh Lewsey, while Jonny Wilkinson, Lewis Moody, Phil Vickery and Simon Shaw all return after missing the tour through injury.