22 May 2010

England players resolve pay issues

12:17 pm on 22 May 2010

A pay dispute between England's top rugby players and the English Rugby Football Union has been resolved, ahead of next month's tour of Australia and New Zealand.

The tour begins in Perth on June 8th.

England manager Martin Johnson has selected a 44-man tour squad, with his players facing two Tests against Australia in Perth and Sydney, two appointments with the Australian Barbarians and then a clash against New Zealand Maori in Napier.

Hooker Dylan Hartley has been ruled out of the England tour.

The 24-year-old Hartley, who was born in New Zealand, has been in England's starting XV for their last seven Tests, but he injured his knee playing for Northampton in last weekend's English premiership semi-final.

His replacement is George Chuter.