Wilkinson lines up a conversion attempt during last week's game against Romania. Lynne Cameron/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Shenanigans
Illegal ball exchange sees England coaches banned
Two members of the England coaching staff have been suspended after allowing Jonny Wilkinson to change the match ball for conversion attempts against Romania.
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.
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Alred and Stridgeon will be banned from Eden Park for England’s make-or-break group game with Scotland this Saturday.
Illegal ball exchange sees England coaches banned
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:
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.
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Dave Alred Eden Park England Jonny Wilkinson Martin Johnson Paul Stridgeon Rugby Rugby Union Rugby World Cup 2011 RWC2011 Shenanigans