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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 briain
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    Jan 21st 2012, 6:46 PM

    Great to see Robbie in form, in a decent league pre Euros… But let’s hope trap is paying attention to the fine performances of ciaran Clarke too!

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    Mute Mark Carter
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    Jan 21st 2012, 7:09 PM

    Ciaran Clark has to go to the Euros. He will be important in the WC 2014 qualifiers and a good player for us for years to come hopefully. His goal in the cup a few weeks ago was class.

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    Mute B OMor
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    Jan 21st 2012, 8:18 PM

    Keane is getting some great confidence boosters here. Hopefully this can continue to the summer. But defender and goalkeeper need to up the game. (oshea and given).

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    Mute james h
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    Jan 21st 2012, 9:23 PM

    Pilkington of Norwich is class and should be in traps squad aswell

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    Mute HUGH O'BRIEN
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 10:04 AM

    Duffer answered rumours of being sold by Fulham

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    Mute HUGH O'BRIEN
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 10:02 AM

    Keane is on fire two absolutely top drawer goals and was Scholes like playing in front of mid field.

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    Mute Peter Dunne
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 7:42 AM

    I think an important question to ask is why Robbie Keane joined LA Galaxy if he still can play at a decent level if not the premiere league then surely the championship is better quality then the MLS…

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