KEY POINTS:
An 18-year-old has accused two England rugby players of rape, according to reports in the British press.
Police in New Zealand have refused to comment on the case but the Sun newspaper quoted a source as saying two unmarried players were quizzed by team chiefs called by officers probing an alleged sex attack.
The girl had been eager to have sex with one man in his Hilton Hotel suite in Auckland on Saturday night and did not object when his pal arrived from the next room to join in, the source said.
The Sun claimed two other England players were quizzed after it was said they saw sex acts involving the girl.
"Two players admitted three-in-a-bed sex with the girl," a source was quoted as saying.
"She'd pursued them from the start and phoned the Hilton to find where they were drinking."
It was claimed the girl was in good spirits when she left early on Sunday but hours later team chiefs received a call from the police saying a serious allegation had been made.
The Daily Star said the boyfriend of the young woman at the centre of the claims contacted police.
Police have confirmed they are investigating a serious allegation about an incident involving up to four players in a private room at the five-star Hilton on Auckland's waterfront. No formal complaint has yet been received.
Detective Inspector Paul Kench of Christchurch CIB yesterday said staff from the city were helping Auckland detectives with the inquiry.
At least six Auckland-based detectives are working on allegations involving up to four members of the England squad.
Auckland police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said officers would like to speak to England team members, but had yet to do so.
She would not say whether any detectives had yet travelled to Christchurch, where the England squad are preparing for tomorrow's second test.
Ms Hegarty would not comment on whether police had seized security footage from either the Hilton or the Pony Club bar, where the four England players had been socialising after Saturday's first test.
It is understood the England players had been drinking with some All Blacks at the bar, which is below the Showgirls strip club, but Ms Hegarty said she would be "surprised" if any All Blacks were questioned in relation to the allegations.
Meanwhile, morale is apparently still high in the English camp, despite the controversy.
England captain Steve Borthwick said yesterday that the challenges facing his side had made them even tighter as a group.
Asked whether there were issues of after-hours excess by players on tour, Borthwick said he was happy with the team's preparations for the tour matches.
The Sun also reported incoming England coach Martin Johnson as being "furious at stories of boozed-up stars", and holding "emergency talks" by phone with tour chief Rob Andrew.
A friend of Johnson's told the paper the former England great was furious that the Hilton goings-on had been allowed to happen.
"He hates the champagne-drinking, party-animal lifestyles of some modern players. And he won't stand for it," the friend was quoted as saying.
Video: England team keeping mum on allegations