RWC 2015: England face disciplinary action over player no-show after Rugby World Cup elimination

England's failure to produce 10 players for interview after the 33-13 defeat to Australia fell short of World Rugby's requirements

Jack de Menezes
Sunday 04 October 2015 09:13 BST
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Tom Wood was one of two players to appear int he mixed zone after the defeat
Tom Wood was one of two players to appear int he mixed zone after the defeat (Getty Images)

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England’s Rugby World Cup exit at the hands of Australia could still get worse as the host nation fell short of a World Rugby requirement that is likely to see them heavily fined.

Each country is required to provide 10 players for interview in the mixed zone following each World Cup match, but after being knocked out of the Rugby World Cup following the embarrassing 33-13 loss to Australia, England provided just two men.

Tom Wood and Richard Wigglesworth appeared to apologise to the nation after falling horrendously short of expectations, having become the first individual host nation to be knocked out at the pool stage.

Despite requests for more players to appear and explain England’s World Cup disaster, no more appeared and World Rugby confirmed the matter has been reported and will be investigated.

The World Rugby representative on duty in the mixed zone after the Twickenham clash confirmed that they had included the failure to appear in their report, and also confirmed that World Rugby do have the power to fine England should they see fit to.

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