Club in crisis over cocaine scandal

Updated 8.30am: 11 days out from the 2015 NRL season, rugby league has been rocked by a drugs scandal across the Tasman.

Six past or present Gold Coast Titans players have been given notices to appear in court over cocaine related charges.

The Titans have stood down Greg Bird and Dave Taylor as the drugs scandal enveloping the NRL club deepens.

Both players have been served notices to appear in court on charges of supply of cocaine as part of the same investigation that has entangled Queensland Reds star Karmichael Hunt.

Titans CEO Graham Annesley says it's done a shocking amount of damage to the club.

"It was damaging on Friday, it's more damaging today. Each of these revelations places the club in a more difficult position."

He says he's been around the league for a long time and been through some traumatic days, but this one tops them all.

The lawyer representing five of the players has told Australian media his clients will deny any wrong doing and vigorously defend all charges.

Australian police stumbled upon the Gold Coast Titans drug ring by accident.

Correspondent Steve Price says they uncovered cocaine dealing by players after they cast surveillance a bachelor's night and an end of season party.

"They were watching a cocaine dealing ring allegedly on the Gold Coast, and suddenly all these rugby league players started popping up on their radar."