Mike Tindall was at the centre of media attention during the World Cup © Getty Images

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Teams: England

England went into the World Cup a split camp fraught with infighting and rifts between senior and younger players, according to reports published today.

With England's discipline firmly in the spotlight as a result of a World Cup campaign laced with scandal, The Times draws on three leaked reports - by the Rugby Football Union's director of elite rugby Rob Andrew; the players' union; and professional clubs - that the split within the camp was to the extent that players were sneered at if they trained to hard stating that it was "uncool" - a far cry from the England handbook which states that players were expected to adhere to the credo: "Together, Relentless, Trusted."

The RPA stated in their report that there were "senior players behaving like they were owed something and leading drinking games. There was also, alarmingly a culture where it was not cool to train hard."

With the England squad's alcohol consumption at the centre of much of the criticism, the RFU come under heavy criticism with one player stating: "We had three months together in camp not drinking and we didn't have one social going out for some beers. And yet the night before we fly to New Zealand, the RFU lay on a farewell party.

"Why are we being given the clear message it's OK to get pissed when we're about to fly to a World Cup. Then to be told there was a tab for us after the Argentina game seemed odd."

Confusion is a theme throughout the whole of England's campaign from the players' point of view - and with the infamous night in Queenstown at the centre of the three reports - one states "It is implausible to think that Mike Tindall, of all people, would not have been looked after and helped home by a team-mate given the state he was in. Why weren't the team looking out for their own?"

With drinking games prevalent, what becomes apparent was that there was a crux of players split from the rest of the camp, according to the report by Andrew. "In the build-up to the RWC a small but very influential group of players paid lip service to the trade-mark behaviour and were not picked up on . Ultimately this has led to ill discipline off the field and a breakdown of trust.

"This was seen as deeply frustrating given the inclusive culture Martin Johnson had attempted to create, and doubly so when that trust is broken within the senior group who should be setting the example."

And with Martin Johnson's role coming under fresh scrutiny, it appears that players wanted him to take a harder line following the Queenstown night. One player said: "We just wanted Johno to have the bollocks to take action, especially after the Tindall night. He was too loyal that was his downfall."

The RPA made a series of recommendations for future behaviour:

- Players must be accountable for their actions - no exceptions
- A much stricter regime needs to be enforced from top down. Senior players should be treated the same as younger players. Exceptions should not be made.
- A clear alcohol policy agreed
- Curfews if required
- A strong message (be sent) that if you cross the line you will be punished.

The report concludes: "This report is not setting out to absolve the players from making mistakes, as they surely did both on and off the field. In a culture of honesty and success such as at Leicester Tigers, players need to accept their shortcomings in what has to be seen as a golden opportunity gone begging."

The three reports paint a dismal picture of the England World Cup campaign from a discipline perspective. And one player echoes this view stating: "It's our own fault we came back so unpopular."