Danny Cipriani has been dropped from the England team to face Scotland in the Six Nations after being photographed leaving a London nightclub soon after midnight on Thursday morning.

The RFU confirmed in a statement that England coach Brian Ashton had axed Cipriani because of "inappropriate behaviour" and that Iain Balshaw would now start at full-back for Saturday's game at Murrayfield.

"I've taken the decision regarding Danny and the matter is now closed. I will keep an open mind on selecting him for future games," Ashton was quoted as saying in a statement from the RFU.

The RFU also confirmed that Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson had been added to the England bench.

Cipriani, 20, was due to replace Balshaw and make his first start for England after making appearances off the bench against Wales and Italy earlier in the tournament.

The full RFU statement read: "Further to inappropriate behaviour last night by England and London Wasps back Danny Cipriani, England head coach Brian Ashton has decided to replace him in the starting XV for Saturday's Six Nations fixture against Scotland with Gloucester Rugby's Iain Balshaw.

"Charlie Hodgson of Sale Sharks has been added to the bench.

"Danny Cipriani will not travel with England to Scotland. No further disciplinary action will be taken against Danny but he has been warned and advised about his future conduct."

Cipriani is widely regarded as the best of a highly-talented generation of players coming through the England ranks and the heir apparent to star fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

He played full-back for Wasps throughout the 2006-7 and helped them to the Heineken Cup title before being moved to fly-half this season, where he has earned praise for his all round game.

It is not the first time that Cipriani has earned column inches in the tabloid press.

Last year he became the focus of their attention after dating 'Cheeky Girl' Monica Irimia, while The Sun also revealed details of a night spent with transsexual model Larissa Summers in a London hotel.

The fact that Ashton said in the statement that the matter was now closed suggests that he might still select Cipriani for England's final Six Nations game against Ireland on March 15.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport