ANDY FARRELL AND Graham Rowntree will have restricted access to the changing room and tunnel for England’s final Rugby World Cup pool match against Uruguay, after breaching rules relating to communication with match officials.
Farrell and Rowntree, the two senior members of Stuart Lancaster’s backroom team, were alleged to have approached officials during England’s defeat to Australia last weekend.
A World Rugby statement on Friday confirmed both men had admitted the charges brought against them – meaning their roles at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday will be limited.
The statement read: “Following submission of the usual post-match report, which identified the incident, members of the England coaching staff were investigated by the Rugby World Cup disciplinary officer for an alleged breach of the match officials protocol, which prohibits unauthorised contact between coaches and team members with match officials on match day, in order to protect the integrity of the game.
“This includes the pre-match and half-time periods, which is when contact between Farrell, Rowntree and the assistant referees occurred.
“Relevant charges were brought by Rugby World Cup Limited in relation to the protocol breaches and the case was heard by independent judicial officer Justice Graeme Mew (Canada) on Friday, 9 October. The breaches were promptly admitted by both of the coaches,” it read.
World Rugby have ruled that neither coach will be allowed enter the tunnel area or changing rooms in the stadium tomorrow in the 15 minutes leading up to kick-off, during half-time, and the 10 minutes after full-time.
They must remain in the designated coaches’ box or be seated with non-playing members of the squad for the duration of the game.
In addition, the pair have been warned as to their future conduct.
