England coaches 'under investigation' at World Cup
Monday 5 October 2015 16:21, UK
Rugby World Cup organisers are investigating whether a member of England's coaching team approached a match official during the defeat to Australia.
World Rugby says the alleged incident would breach a protocol prohibiting coaches approaching officials during a match or at half-time.
The statement released on Monday did not specify the England coach or coaches in question, although a report in Australia states that two members of the coaching team approached match officials in the tunnel at Twickenham at half-time.
England lost 33-13 to the Wallabies to become the first host nation to be eliminated from the pool stage.
The bad news kept coming for England on Monday, with the team dropping to eighth place in the world rankings, matching their lowest position.
England trailed 17-3 at half-time of the match and as the teams ran off the pitch, the coaches are reported to have spoken to officials in contravention of regulations.
"The protocol prohibits certain conduct on match days including coaches approaching match officials during a match or at half-time during a match," World Rugby's statement continued.
England are already facing a possible fine for their failure to fulfil media obligations for the mixed zone after the defeat by the Wallabies.
