England were set to play the Barbarians at Twickenham last Sunday (October 25), but the match was cancelled after players compromised the COVID-19 secure bubble created to allow the match to happen safely during the global health crisis. 

Following an investigation, the RFU found 12 Barbarians players had left their hotel in London to have dinner.

It is also thought several players visited a pub on a separate occasion.

In total, 13 Barbarians players will appear before an online independent disciplinary panel, chaired by Philip Evans QC.

The players are set to face a range of charges, including individual breaches of the protocols and providing false statements during an investigation.

Names, full judgements and sanctions will be published after the hearings have concluded, with the RFU claiming the level of pressure from public scrutiny makes this necessary. 

The independent panel is able to issue a range of sanctions at its discretion, including fines or match bans.

Former England captain Chris Robshaw is among the players who have apologised for breaching protocol. 

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney had said he was "incredibly disappointed" to cancel the fixture, which was to serve as a warm-up for England ahead of a Six Nations clash with Italy tomorrow. 

According to reports, the cancellation of the match could cost the RFU up to £1 million ($1.3 million/€1.1 million), with the organisation already set to lose up to £107 million ($138 million/€119 million) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.