Rugby World Cup 2011: England's troubles on and off the pitch

Johnson had to put up with numerous off-field distractions during the tournament

England's World Cup came to an end with a defeat to France on Saturday that capped a month of controversy in New Zealand.

Here we look at the timeline of the events that dogged Martin Johnson's side in the tournament.

11 September: After England open their World Cup with a narrow 13-9 win over Argentina, The Sun newspaper features photos of captain Mike Tindall, Chris Ashton, Toby Flood and Dylan Hartley on a night out in a bar in Queenstown.

Manager Martin Johnson defends his players, saying: "You have got to relieve the pressure and let off steam at the right time. It was a good idea."

13 September: Forward Courtney Lawes is handed a two-game ban for "recklessly striking" Argentina's Mario Ledesma with his knee. Lawes returns to the side for the final group match against Scotland.

Johnson says: "We thought any contact was incidental but they thought differently."

Chris Ashton leaps off the daunting Nevis jump

13 September: Johnson defends allowing his players to go bungee jumping on their day off.

He says: "They've not been skiing, as that is risky. They're all sensible and they're all big boys, so it's fine with me."

29 September: After a , kicking coach Dave Alred and fitness specialist Paul Stridgeon are suspended for the game against Scotland. The pair were found to have switched the ball Jonny Wilkinson was due to kick with without asking the permission of referee Romain Poite.

Johnson says: "It's unfortunate that we have had to take this action but ultimately there was a breach of the laws of the game."

2 October: Johnson reprimands three players for making inappropriate comments to a female hotel worker. James Haskell, Hartley and Ashton were made to formally apologise.

Johnson says: "If you leave yourself open for these headlines to be written, it drags us all into it and that is what makes me particularly angry."

3 October: After an unconvincing , winger Delon Armitage is ruled out of the quarter-final against France after receiving a one-match ban for a dangerous high tackle on Scotland's Chris Paterson.

Johnson says: "These things happen."

4 October: Centre Manu Tuilagi is fined £4,800 by World Cup officials for wearing a sponsored mouthguard.

The RFU says: "It was a genuine error."

8 October: England's tournament comes to an end as they fall to a 19-12 defeat by France in the quarter-finals.

Johnson refuses to discuss his future but says: "I believe this team's best days are ahead of it."

9 October: Tuilagi is formally warned by police and fined £3,000 by England rugby officials after jumping from a ferry in Auckland.

Johnson says: "This was an irresponsible thing to do. Manu has been disciplined internally."