WORLD RUGBY HAS confirmed that England are under investigation for an alleged breach of protocols that say members of coaching staff cannot approach match officials during World Cup games.
Stuart Lancaster’s side were beaten 33-13 by Australia on Saturday in Twickenham, meaning they are the first host nation to be knocked out of a World Cup in the pool stages.
The head coach’s position is now under extreme pressure, despite his contract running until 2020. Now confirmation from World Rugby that the English are being investigated only adds to the catastrophe that is the hosts’ campaign.
World Rugby is investigating an alleged breach by the England coaching team of the match-day communications protocol between match officials and team members or union officials during the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 3 October,” reads the World Rugby statement.
“The protocol prohibits certain conduct on match days including coaches approaching match officials during a match or at half-time during a match.”
It is believed that the incident England’s coaching staff were unhappy about was Michael Hooper’s clearout of Mike Brown at a first-half ruck. The Australian openside escaped a yellow card during the game, but has since been cited.