England Vice Captain Mike Tindall has been fined 25 000 Pounds and removed from the England elite player squad for his conduct during the Rugby World Cup.

Tindall was involved in a high-profile night out in Queenstown following England’s victory over Argentina.

Tindall’s team-mates Chris Aston and James Haskell were given 5 000 Pound suspended fines and were warned about their future conduct .

Northampton Saints captain Dylan Hartley has been cleared of being involved in the exchange of inappropriate language which led to allegations of wrongdoing against himself, Chris Ashton and James Haskell, in Dunedin.

The sanctions follow appearances by the players before the RFU’s Professional Rugby Director Rob Andrew and Legal and Governance Director Karena Vleck.

“We have considered all the evidence carefully and interviewed the players at length,” said Rob Andrew

“These actions have not been taken lightly but we believe that in all these cases the sanctions are commensurate with the level of seriousness of what occurred.

“Mike Tindall’s actions reached a level of misconduct that was unacceptable in a senior England player and amounted to a very serious breach of the EPS Code of Conduct.

“Whilst we acknowledge his previous good character it needs to be made clear that what he did will not be tolerated.”

“Regarding the events in Dunedin, it should be stressed that the allegations of very serious wrong-doing made against Chris Ashton, Dylan Hartley and James Haskell by Annabel Newton, a member of staff at the team hotel, were entirely false. ”

Mike Tindall has said that he will appeal the RFU’s decision to drop him from the England Elite squad and to fine him 25 000 Pounds.