ENGLAND KICKING COACH Dave Alred and fitness specialist Paul Stridgeon have received a one-match suspension from the RFU following an investigation by Rugby World Cup Limited into their conduct during their side’s Pool B rout of Romania.
In contravention of “both the laws of the game and the spirit of the game,” according to the RFU, the pair twice allowed fly-half Jonny Wilkinson to exchange the match ball with an apparently more favourable replacement for conversion attempts.
In conversation with the BBC, England coach Martin Johnson attempted to explain his subordinates’ conduct:
“It happened twice and they were told to desist, which they did… [Wilkinson] thought one of the balls was slightly less than perfect, so he wanted to swap it”.
Like many of the place-kickers at this year’s tournament, the English No10 has endured an uncharacteristically turbulent time with the boot in recent weeks, with only 50% of his efforts finding the target.
Alred and Stridgeon will be banned from Eden Park for England’s make-or-break group game with Scotland this Saturday.