England's Tom Wood escapes citing charge after clashing with Liam Williams of Wales
Monday 28 September 2015 13:32, UK
World Cup organisers have announced that England flanker Tom Wood will be free to play in Saturday's must-win clash against Australia.
There was a possibility that Wood might be handed a citing charge after striking the head of Liam Williams of Wales on Saturday night but the Northampton man has escaped with a warning.
Williams had to be taken off in the 67th minute of the Twickenham encounter when he was hit by Wood's shin as the back rower tried to kick a loose ball towards the Wales try-line.
The match citing commissioner Maurizio Vancini has decided to settle for handing Wood a warning, meaning the England man will not have to serve a suspension.
A statement released by the organisers read: "Under the Rugby World Cup 2015 disciplinary programme, a citing commissioner warning equates to a yellow card in sanction.
"A combination of three yellow cards or citing commissioner warnings accumulated during the tournament will result in a hearing."
England's first-choice blindside flanker will therefore be free to play the Wallabies in a match the hosts need to win if they are to stay in the tournament following their 28-25 loss to the Welsh.
After taking the blow, Williams received several minutes of treatment before being driven from the pitch on a medical cart, and the full-back is a doubt for Thursday's clash with Fiji, although he is reportedly making encouraging progress from the concussion he suffered.
Wood was penitent after the incident and apologised in person to Williams, but insisted that it had been an accident.
He said after the match: "The outcome was not something I intended, obviously.
"I don't think anyone would deliberately kick someone's head like that intentionally.
"I was just purely looking at the ball and that was the way it bounced. I do apologise for the outcome but I want to assure everyone there was no intent whatsoever.
"I hate to see anyone go off the field with an injury where they have to go off on a stretcher, it's a tough part of rugby.
"It's hard to watch when someone is in that condition on the floor, I'm sorry for the outcome 100 per cent.
"I'm told he's on his feet and moving around as normal, which is quite a relief."
