An incident at a nightclub involving England cricket captain Ben Stokes, pace bowler Gus Atkinson and a Saracens academy rugby union player is being investigated by the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Prem Rugby club.

An ECB statement said the England pair were involved in a "breach of team protocols" in the early hours of Monday morning, after the conclusion of their win over New Zealand at Lord's on Sunday.

Saracens said they were aware of an incident and were "currently establishing the full facts".

The identity of the academy player allegedly involved has not been made public.

It is the latest controversy to hit the England team following an Ashes tour dogged with allegations of a drinking culture.

Before the Ashes, white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on the eve of a one-day international against New Zealand.

As a result, England imposed a midnight curfew on all players and staff.

It is understood the curfew was still in place despite the first Test being over, and the investigation relates to more than a breach of the curfew.

"The ECB is currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first men's Test against New Zealand," said the statement.

"Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were present at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when an incident took place.

"We are currently seeking further information, and an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test will be made in due course.

"The Cricket Regulator has been informed and we will provide a further update when possible."

A Saracens statement added: "We are aware of an incident involving an academy player connected to Saracens on Sunday evening.

"The club is currently establishing the full facts and is in contact with the relevant authorities and individuals involved. Once this process is complete, the matter will be reviewed and addressed appropriately."

The Sarries senior side were beaten 32-13 by Exeter in their final game of the Prem season on Saturday.

England were criticised for their off-field conduct during the 4-1 defeat in Australia, particularly a boozy mid-series holiday to the coastal town of Noosa.

In the aftermath of the trip to Noosa, a video of Ben Duckett was posted on social media, with the opener appearing to be intoxicated.

Director of cricket Rob Key investigated the time in Noosa, but denied the team had a drinking culture.

At the end of the Ashes series in January, details of the incident involving Brook in October were revealed.

Brook initially claimed to have been alone at the nightclub in Wellington, only for it to emerge that he was alongside team-mates Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue.

The midnight curfew was first imposed for the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka in January and the T20 World Cup that followed, both when Brook was captain.

It has remained in place for the start of the Test summer, when Stokes, 35, has returned to lead the side.

After the conclusion of England's win at Lord's on Sunday, Stokes said: "I'm not going to lie, I'm very, very happy that we've won this week. I knew how big this game was in terms of the result and how it was going to be perceived externally if it didn't go well.

"I won't be really happy until I get to share a beer with the boys."

In 2017, Stokes was involved in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub that resulted in him being charged with affray.

He subsequently missed the Ashes tour of 2017-18 before he was cleared of the charge the following summer.

England are due to name a squad for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, beginning on 17 June.

But the result of the investigation could have an impact on the squad, including the possible omission of Stokes and Atkinson.

Atkinson, 28, took seven wickets in the match, including 5-30 in the second innings as England completed a 115-run win.

Stokes, however, suffered a frustrating Test with the bat - scoring 12 in his first innings before a three-ball duck in the second.