The RFU have fined Mike Tindall £25,000 and removed him from England's elite player squad.
Acting skipper fined and dropped following RFU investigation
England centre Mike Tindall has been fined £25,000 and dropped from the elite player squad following his conduct at the World Cup.
Tindall was the centre of controversy after a much-criticised team night out in Queenstown.
Tindall, who has won more than 70 caps, was pictured with a woman at a bar and then later admitted misleading England management about events during the evening.
And following an investigation, led by legal and governance director Karena Vleck, Tindall has now been punished by the Rugby Football Union.
James Haskell and Chris Ashton have also been given £5,000 suspended fines for their actions, while Dylan Hartley was cleared of any wrongdoing.
RFU professional rugby director Rob Andrew said: "We have considered all the evidence carefully and interviewed the players at length. 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.
Compromising
"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. We do not believe the players had any intention to sexually harass or intimidate Ms Newton.
"However, the incident is precisely the kind of dangerous, compromising situation the players were warned about prior to departure for New Zealand and that they were specifically told to avoid in the EPS Code of Conduct.
"While we found that Dylan Hartley played no part in the ill-considered exchange with Annabel Newton, Chris Ashton and James Haskell's behaviour on September 9 did breach the EPS Code of Conduct and they have each been given suspended fines of £5,000. If they commit any further breaches of the Code before December 31, 2012 the fines will become due.
"Finally, these episodes and the subsequent disciplinary action should stand as a strong reminder that the highest standards of personal conduct are expected from any England player on and off the field."
Tindall will appeal the fine with the Rugby Players' Association saying in a statement: "The Rugby Players' Association has noted the extraordinary fine handed down to Mike Tindall following the disciplinary process after the Rugby World Cup.
"Mike will be appealing this unprecedented fine as per the terms of the EPS (elite player squad) agreement. There will be no further comment from Mike Tindall or the RPA at this time."
