Martin Johnson has denied drugs are an endemic problem in the sport and said that players who do indulge know the consequences of their actions if they are caught. The England team manager, who revealed that one of his players had been asked to take a routine test early yesterday morning, said: “You can never be complacent about these things but in my experience there is not a widespread drug problem in rugby.

“Today at 5.50am I got a call in my hotel bedroom because a tester wanted to see one of our guys who was on 24-hour notice. The players are very aware of the testing procedures that are being used. It's not just a deterrent - they realise what they are throwing away if they get involved in it.”

He said he had been surprised by developments at Bath. On Monday three players - Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins - resigned before facing an internal hearing over an alleged failure to take drug tests on three occasions. That came only three months after Matt Stevens, their former team-mate, was banned for two years for taking cocaine.

Asked if Lipman's career was over after ten caps, Johnson said: “The RFU are having their inquiry and are collating information, so we can't really comment on that until we find out what's going to happen.”

Lipman, Crockett and Higgins have denied refusing to take drugs tests after an end-of-season party and are taking legal action for constructive dismissal and defamation.

Johnson has named three new caps for the first of this month's two internationals against Argentina at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Matt Banahan, the Bath wing, plus David Wilson, the prop, and Tom May, the centre, both of whom are leaving Newcastle Falcons, win their first caps after impressive performances against the Barbarians last weekend, in May's case off the bench. James Haskell and Steffon Armitage return, with Lewis Moody and Chris Robshaw dropping out.