Lawrence Dallaglio: "The circumstances in which the supposed admissions were obtained amounted to an elaborate set up. By pandering to the whims of these people, I appreciate I made an error in judgement which stems from naivety and foolishness."

England coach Clive Woodward:"He is devastated. He is shocked. We are all shocked.

"I feel for him, for his mum and dad, his partner and his kids.

"This is not an easy thing but I think we have made the right decision and, more importantly, Lawrence has made the right decision."

Former England captain and Rugby Football Union board member Bill Beaumont: "It is always disappointing when you read about the sport on the front page of a newspaper rather than the back page."

Rugby Football Union chairman Brian Baister: "Lawrence Dallaglio categorically denied the principal allegations ... (but) advised the RFU he was withdrawing from the captaincy and the tour to Australia."