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England are being investigated for breaking World Cup protocols

The alleged incident is related to members of the coaching staff approaching a match official during the Australia game.

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 England head coach Stuart Lancaster. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

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.

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    Mute arliss loveless
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    Jul 27th 2016, 10:04 AM

    History will look on the IOC very poorly if they don’t reverse their decision

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    Mute john
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    Jul 27th 2016, 10:17 AM

    She only blew the whistle after she was caught doping, chances are she wouldn’t have told the IOC if she wasn’t caught doping!

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    Mute John
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    Jul 27th 2016, 12:37 PM

    I’d say she has bigger things to worry about at the moment like that great big target on her back. She’d want to be fast, bet Putin would love hunt her for sport!

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    Mute emily davison
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    Jul 27th 2016, 11:43 AM

    She is a doped athlete, what would clean athletes say if they lose to her?

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