England have asked World Cup organisers to rule on whether they would be able to replace Lawrence Dallaglio in their squad for the showpiece event if his disciplinary hearing drags into next month.

Dallaglio faces charges of bringing the game into disrepute and of taking recreational drugs on the Lions tour to South Africa two years ago. The hearing, which is scheduled to last for two days, starts on August 25th. The England coach Clive Woodward, who yesterday declared that he was confident his former captain would emerge from the hearing free to play in the World Cup, is likely to field the flanker in the international against the United States at Twickenham next week.

"Lawrence is available for selection and he has been training hard with the squad," said Woodward. "He is fully focused on rugby matters and I would have no qualms about playing him against the United States.

"My stand is exactly the same as it was when the accusations were levelled against Lawrence last May: I believe he is innocent and I am confident the hearing will come to that conclusion. I would not be including him in our preparations if I was uncertain what the outcome would be.

"It is frustrating that the matter is taking a long time to reach its conclusion, but it is not having an effect on the other players in the squad. It is something which is hanging over Lawrence, not anyone else, but I appreciate that it is an issue the media is going to concentrate on."

It was at Woodward's urging that the Rugby Football Union asked Rugby World Cup Ltd to rule on whether England would be able to replace Dallaglio in their squad if the hearing went against him.

"You are only allowed to replace players with RWC's permission," said Woodward. "We have asked for an advance ruling on this issue because the end of the hearing will almost coincide with the day we have to hand in our squad and we want to know where we would stand."

The problem for Woodward would be if Dallaglio were found guilty of one or both of the charges. The RFU has said that, in the event of an appeal, it would be heard within days of the original ruling. But asking to replace a player who had been found guilty of an offence which is likely to carry a two-year suspension is unlikely to find much favour with RWC.

A 36-man England squad, which included Dallaglio, gathered at a hotel near Leeds yesterday for a week's training. The outhalf Paul Grayson and the centre Will Greenwood both played a full part and are expected to take part in the "A" game against the United States. The Leicester flanker Paul Gustard is included for the first time, the Sale centre Barrie-Jon Mather is recalled and Sale's wing Steve Hanley and the Newcastle lock Garath Archer return after injury.