Former Bath players Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett, Andrew Higgins and Justin Harrison face an RFU disciplinary hearing after being charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.

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England international Lipman, together with joint club captain Crockett and Higgins, resigned from Bath this month shortly before they were to attend an internal disciplinary hearing over allegedly missing a drugs test.

Australia lock Harrison was released early from his contract last month.

Lipman, Crockett and Higgins denied missing tests, saying they were victims of "scurrilous and unsubstantiated allegations" and said their positions at the club had become untenable.

In a statement issued through their solicitor Richard Mallett, they said they would "vigorously contest" the RFU charges.

"Any charges brought by the RFU will be vigorously contested," it read.

"This is a matter that we take very seriously and will do everything possible in order to clear our names."

The RFU said on Wednesday they had completed their initial investigations into the allegations made against the players.

"We can confirm that it will be asking the players to appear before an RFU disciplinary panel charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Game (rule 5.12) on a number of charges including taking prohibited substances and wilful refusal to take a drugs test," an RFU statement said.

Bath chief executive Bob Calleja reiterated the club's position but said the matter was now in the hands of the RFU.

"The club treats matters relating to drugs very seriously and we are perfectly satisfied that we acted correctly in requiring the players to explain themselves at an internal disciplinary hearing," he said.

"They chose not to do so and, so far as we are concerned, our internal process is at an end, the players no longer being employed by the club."

No date has yet been set for the hearing.