Internationals
England coaches Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree will have restricted access to the England changing room and tunnel for England’s final Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A match against Uruguay after being found to have breached the Match Officials Protocol that regulates communication between team members, coaches and match officials on match day. The breaches occurred during England’s match against Australia at Twickenham on 3 October.
Following submission of the usual post-match report, which identified the incident, members of the England coaching staff were investigated by the Rugby World Cup Disciplinary Officer for an alleged breach of the Match Officials Protocol, which prohibits unauthorised contact between coaches and team members with match officials on match day, in order to protect the integrity of the game. This includes the pre-match and halftime periods, which is when contact between Farrell, Rowntree and the assistant referees occurred.
All Blacks (14) 47 / 9 (3) Tonga (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks and Tonga did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at
St James’ Park, Newcastle, England at 21:00 SA Time (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT, Saturday 08:00 NZ & Tonga Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Mihai Macovei
Romanian captain Mihai Macovei will miss his country’s pivotal final Pool D match with Italy on Sunday after being suspended for a fortnight for a dangerous tackle.
The 28-year-old loose forward was hailed as a hero earlier in the week for his 2 tries in Romania’s superb comeback from 0 / 15 down to beat Canada 17 / 15 and set his team up for Sunday’s match where the winner will seal 3rd place and automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup.
However, he fell foul of the citing commissioner and has now been found guilty of a dangerous tackle during the Canada match.
“Mihai Macovei has been suspended for 2 weeks for a dangerous tackle contrary to Law 10(4)(e),” read the statement from the disciplinary commission.
Warren Gatland
Wales head coach, Warren Gatland, ruled himself out of the running to succeed England coach Stuart Lancaster by telling reporters: “I don’t think they can afford me.”
Although under contract until 2020, Lancaster’s time in his job could soon be up after England became the 1st Rugby World Cup hosts to be knocked out of the tournament at the group stages.
Wales played a key role in England’s demise with a thrilling 28 / 25 win over their old rivals at Twickenham.
Australia then delivered the telling blow to England’s hopes of getting out of the ‘Pool of Death’ with a comprehensive 33 / 13 win over Lancaster’s team last weekend.
Since England lost to the Wallabies, there has been plenty of speculation about how Lancaster could be out of a job following the team’s now ‘meaningless’ concluding Pool A match against Uruguay in Manchester on Saturday.
Gatland, whom England could have tried to appoint after the 2007 World Cup, the year before he oversaw his 1st match as Wales boss, has been 1 of several names linked with Lancaster’s job in recent days, along with Australia’s Eddie Jones and South Africa’s Jake White even though, as yet, there is no vacancy.
Stephen Betham, Samoa head coach
Samoa coach Stephen Betham claimed Thursday the Pacific island teams had been singled out over rough play and were warned about their discipline before the Rugby World Cup began.
As the penalties and Yellow Cards mount up against Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, Betham said the teams were “tainted. We were warned at the start.”
His outburst came as Samoa considered appealing a 5-week ban on Alesana Tuilagi for kneeing Harumichi Tatekawa as the Japanese player tried to tackle him.
The judicial ruling has been widely criticised on social media by former players as video replays indicated a problem with the technique of the much smaller Tatekawa as he tried to stop Tuilagi in full flight.
“We are feeling the pain,” Betham said of not being able to field the giant Newcastle wing in their final pool game against Scotland on Saturday.
Bryan Habana scoring his hat trick try (64th Test try, 15th RWC try) against USA at the Rugby World Cup 2015
Bryan Habana’s hat-trick against the USA in their Rugby World Cup clash in London on Wednesday saw him tie not 1, but 2 try scoring records.
Habana’s feat saw him not only join All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu atop the all-time World Cup try scoring charts – with 15 – but also moved him into a tie with former Wallaby David Campese for 2nd spot in the overall Test try list (64).
Habana now trails Japan’s Daisuke Ohata (69) by 5 tries in the all-time list.
But who did Habana score his very 1st Test try against? And his 50th?
Lood de Jager… a truly smashing tournament for him!
With the South African Springboks now confirmed as topping their Pool B in the Rugby World Cup and thus making the quarters, we take a general peek at the news from the camp.
Today allegations surfaced that tighthead prop Frans Malherbe was involved in a “biting incident” during the USA game on Wednesday evening, but those rumours have been dismissed by World Rugby as unfounded.
Lood de Jager ranks high in all facets of play, with a host of tackles, many ball carries, great lineout statistics and all round inspired play. He is having a whale of a tournament and is growing in stature with every subsequent game.
The Springboks know that they still have plenty to work on, despite rebounding nicely after their bomb-shell loss against Japan in their 1st Rugby World Cup encounter. They now end No 1 in Pool B, whether Scotland win with a bonus point or not against Samoa on the weekend and whether Japan beat USA on the weekend as well. They feel that all aspects of their play must and should still improve.
In the meantime Jean de Villiers has re-joined the Springbok squad, after an operation on his broken jaw in South Africa, as adviser and not as player and he was seen supporting the Springboks on Wednesday evening from the stands, next to his other Springbok compatriots.
With England leaving the Rugby World Cup scene after their last Pool game, against Uruguay on the weekend, the rumour is now that the Springboks will take over and occupy their posh preparation base for the rest of their Rugby World Cup participation.
Sean McMahon
Sean McMahon will replace Michael Hooper in 1 of 3 changes to the Australian Wallabies side to take on Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Wallabies have been forced into 2 changes – with Rob Horne (shoulder injury) and Michael Hooper (suspension) ruled out for the match which will determine the winner of Pool A.
McMahon slots straight into the No 7 openside flanker jumper, the 21-year-old’s 2nd run-on selection for the tournament, with David Pocock remaining at No 8 to make his 4rth start at the back of the scrum. Pocock will also share the vice-captaincy with Adam Ashley-Cooper.
66-Test veteran Drew Mitchell comes onto the wing for Rob Horne, after a 2-try performance against Uruguay earlier in the tournament made him the 3rd-highest try scorer in Rugby World Cup history.
Dean Mumm has also been included in the Wallabies run-on team for the 2nd time at the Rugby World Cup, pairing up with Kane Douglas at lock with Rob Simmons moving to the bench.
Fullback Israel Folau has overcome an ankle injury to take his place in the side, continuing his good run with the Wallabies, having not missed a Test through injury since his 2013 debut against the British and Irish Lions.
Gareth Anscombe
New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe will make his 1st international start after he was named in the Wales team for their crunch match against the Australia Wallabies.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made 6 personnel changes from the team that knocked out hosts England. Besides Anscombe’s inclusion to the starting 15, the team also sees star wing George North shift from the wing to outside centre to partner Jamie Roberts.
Anscombe forms part of a new-look back 3 alongside Alex Cuthbert and Liam Williams. Cuthbert will be making his 40th test appearance since making his debut against Australia back in 2011 whilst Williams returns from injury after missing the victory against Fiji.
Dan Biggar and Gareth Davies, who have collected the last 2 man-of-the-match awards in Wales’ victories continue their partnership at flyhalf and scrumhalf respectively.
Paul James returns from injury to start in the front row alongside hooker Scott Baldwin and prop Samson Lee. Luke Charteris comes into the starting line-up to partner Alun Wyn Jones, who makes his 99th Test appearance at lock.
Captain Sam Warburton switches to blindside flank and features alongside fellow British and Irish Lions Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.
Samoa coach Stephen Betham made 7 changes for the Pacific Islanders’ final Pool B game against Scotland in Newcastle on Saturday.
The 26 / 5 defeat against Japan in Samoa’s previous match prompted Betham to field new combinations in the midfield and among his loose forwards.
Rey Lee-Lo and George Pisi will form a new centre pairing, while Maurie Faasavalu, Jack Lam and Alafoti Faosiliva will be together in the loose forwards for the 1st time.
Samoa, who will be captained by scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali’i, cannot advance beyond the pool stages.
Jacques Burger
Namibia captain Jacques Burger has been ruled out of his country’s final Pool C game against Argentina on Sunday, thereby ending an illustrious international career.
Burger suffered a confirmed concussion, 9 minutes into the match against Georgia on Wednesday evening at Sandy Park in Exeter and will not be able to play against the Argentinian Pumas in Leicester.
Burger’s test career for Namibia spanned over 9 years and 36 caps, which included 3 Rugby World Cup appearances in 2007, 2011 and 2015. Last night he equalled Hugo Horn’s 11 Rugby World Cup appearances for his country.
Before the team’s departure for Leicester on Thursday morning, Burger reflected on his career.
“It was a huge disappointment that I could not complete last night’s match and an even bigger disappointment that I will not be able to play on Saturday. I am very proud of my team and it is not the way that you would want to end an international career. But that’s the game of rugby for you.”
Head Coach Vern Cotter today named the Scotland team to face Samoa in this Saturday’s decisive Rugby World Cup Pool B match at St James’ Park, Newcastle (kick-off 15:30 SA Time, 14:30 UK Time, 13:30 GMT).
A win would guarantee the Scots a place in the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup for the 7th time since the competition’s inauguration in 1987.
Standing in their way are the formidable Pacific Islanders who, despite being out of contention for the last 8, will look to end their campaign on a positive note.
Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter, said: “Every Test match is a ‘must-win’ when you represent your country.
“We’ve put in a huge amount of work to get us to this point, and our performances and commitment have put us in a position to qualify for the last eight. We’ll need to be up to the challenge, enjoy the opportunity, and maintain the awareness needed to play to our strengths and impose our game.”
Namibia (6) 16 / 17 (0) Georgia (Final Score)
Namibia and Georgia did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at
Sandy Park, Exeter, England at 21:00 SA Time (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT, 23:00 Georgia Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Springboks (14) 64 / 0 (0) USA Eagles (Final Score)
The South African Springboks and United States Eagles did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at
Olympic Park, London, England at 17:45 SA Time (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT, 11:45 US EDT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Ma’a Nonu
Veteran midfielder Ma’a Nonu will play his 100th Test match for the New Zealand All Blacks, when they face Tonga in a Rugby World Cup Pool C match on Friday.
Nonu, who made his All Blacks Test debut in 2003, has had 83 Test starts in his stellar career, scored 29 tries and is the most capped All Blacks inside centre.
He will become the All Blacks 6th Test centurion on Friday and will line up alongside 3 of those centurions – hooker Keven Mealamu, prop Tony Woodcock and flyhalf Dan Carter.
“On behalf of the All Blacks, we would like to congratulate Ma’a on this special milestone,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
“He has been an incredibly valued member of our group for a very long time.
“He has been fully committed to enhancing the All Blacks jersey and the values that go with it.
Nili Latu
Tonga’s big-hitting captain, Nili Latu, is excited about facing up to his 1st and last All Blacks haka.
Having been controversially dropped from Tonga’s squad on the eve of the tournament 4 years ago, Latu was absent from the side beaten 10 / 41 by the hosts in the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland.
The only 3 previous meetings between the countries were before his time in the international arena – a 7 / 91 loss at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the infamous 0 / 102 defeat at North Harbour in 2000, and a 45 / 9 win for the men in black at Bristol at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
Jake White and Eddie Jones
In the aftermath of England’s dramatic fall from grace after becoming the 1st host nation which will not advance beyond the Pool stages of the Rugby World Cup, the speculation has been rife about the possible resignation or axing of England head coach, Stuart Lancaster.
Earlier in the week it was reported that Eddie Jones, high flying Japanese coach, has said he would listen to the English if he was approached for the job.
Now South Africa’s supreme mercenary coach and big friend of Eddie Jones, Jake White (who currently coaches Montpellier in France), has also thrown his name into the hat for the England job!
Like buzzards over a carcass, these coaches… I tell you!
Both mercenaries are currently employed or in Eddie Jones’ case about to enter into employment at the Stormers for the 2016 season, but both indicating that they are available!
Now that irks me to hell and gone and I’m sure it does not go down well in the rest of South Africa, specially in the Western Cape, where much is expected from Eddie Jones by the DHL Stormers and their supporters.
Alesana Tuilagi
Samoa wing Alesana Tuilagi has been suspended for 5 weeks for striking a player with his knee in their game against Japan.
It means he will not be available for Samoa’s final pool fixture against Scotland on Saturday and will not be available to turn out for his Newcastle Falcons club side before 10 November.
Tuilagi was cited for kneeing Harumichi Tatekawa in the 2nd minute of the match, won last weekend by Japan by 26 / 5.
He denied foul play. But after reviewing all camera angles the citing was upheld by judicial officer Antony Davies.
Israel Folau in the air, against England
Australian Wallabies star Israel Folau is battling to be fit for their final Pool A clash – the table-topping decider with Wales.
Assistant coach Stephen Larkham delivered the bad news to the media.
Folau, lynchpin of the Wallabies formidable backline, did not train on Monday, but got a run out on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old is still feeling the effects of the knock to the ankle that forced him to quit the action in the devastating 33 / 13 defeat they inflicted on hosts England last Saturday.
While he is still in the game to play the Welsh, little hope is given to wing Rob Horne, who left the England match in the 10th minute because of a shoulder injury.
Sam Burgess
Beleaguered England coach Stuart Lancaster dropped controversial rugby league convert Sam Burgess amid mass changes for the side’s last Rugby World Cup pool game against Uruguay.
Burgess, who was Lancaster’s most argued over squad selection when he got the nod ahead of the more battle-hardened Luther Burrell, does not even make the replacements bench in the dead-rubber game.
4 Players – Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Danny Care and Alex Goode – will make their 1st Rugby World Cup starts in Saturday’s game in Manchester.
Chris Robshaw remains captain despite calls for him to be dropped after the calamitous defeat to Australia last Saturday.
Fiji (26) 47 / 15 (10) Uruguay (Final Score)
Fiji and Uruguay did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at
Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England at 21:00 SA Time (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT, 16:00 Uruguay Time, Wednesday 07:00 Fiji Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Canada (8) 15 / 17 (0) Romania (Final Score)
Canada and Romania did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at
Leicester City Stadium, Leicester, England at 17:45 SA Time (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT, 11:45 Canadian Eastern Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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World Rugby is investigating reports that England’s coaching staff made an illegal approach to match officials at halftime in their loss to Australia.
According to media reports 2 England coaches made the approach as the 2 teams left the field at Twickenham on Saturday, with England trailing 3 / 17. Head coach Stuart Lancaster was not among them however.
“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,” said a World Rugby statement.
“The protocol prohibits certain conduct on match days including coaches approaching match officials during a match or at halftime during a match,” the statement added.
Media reports have suggested that there is CCTV footage from the tunnel where the alleged incident took place.
Japanese supporters at Rugby World Cup 2015
Japan’s dismantling of Samoa at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday was watched by a record national television audience of 25 million people in Japan, World Rugby said on Monday.
A 2nd victory for the Brave Blossoms, who lit up the tournament with a stunning upset over South Africa on the opening weekend, kept Eddie Jones’ side in contention to reach the quarterfinals for the 1st time.
They sit 3rd in Pool B and will need to beat the United States in their final match in Gloucester on Sunday and hope other results go their way.
Rugby fever has gripped Japan, who will host the 2019 tournament, and the 26 / 5 victory over Samoa in Milton Keynes underlined their emergence as a force in the game.
Saturday’s broadcast figure eclipsed the previous record of 20.7 million held by France, when national broadcaster TF1 televised the 1st semifinal of the 2007 Rugby World Cup between France and England in Paris.
Waisake Naholo
New Zealand All Blacks wing Waisake Naholo, on the comeback trail from a broken leg, is again under an injury cloud and in doubt for their final Pool C match against Tonga on Friday.
The try-scoring specialist is in need of game time after being sidelined for 3 months and the All Blacks will wait until the last minute before naming their team on Wednesday to decide if he will be fit enough to play.
Naholo missed the All Blacks 1st 2 games as he completed his recovery from a leg fracture.
He then exploded onto the Rugby World Cup stage with a sensational try, with his 1st touch of the ball in the 3rd game against Georgia which the All Blacks won 43 / 10 to confirm their quarterfinal berth.
Martin Castrogiovanni
Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni has had to drop out of his last Rugby World Cup after doctors discovered a tumor in his back, the Italian team manager revealed on Monday.
The 33-year-old Argentina-born star – fondly known as ‘Castro’ – will see a specialist about whether he requires surgery.
“Martin has pain on a sciatic nerve and after a check doctors found a tumor pressing on his 5th vertebra that is causing inflammation and pain,” team manager Luigi Troiani said.
“We are sure it is benign and tomorrow he will fly to Milan to see a specialist. The likelihood is he will require surgery.”
Castrogiovanni has been 1 of the leading props in the world over the past decade, playing for Toulon in France and Leicester in England.
Alesana Tuilagi
Faifili Levave
Samoa’s hopes of rescuing something from a wretched Rugby World Cup campaign suffered a new blow after Faifili Levave and Alesana Tuilagi were cited over incidents during Saturday’s defeat by Japan.
Levave was sin-binned for the offence he has been cited for by independent Citing Commissioner Yves Thieffine, which is for “playing the opponent without the ball”.
Tuilagi, who enjoyed a successful spell with Leicester Tigers finishing leading try scorer in 2012, has been cited for an offence which was not seen at the time by South African referee Craig Joubert.
Tuilagi was accused of an alleged foul “striking with the knee” in the 2nd minute of the Pool B match in Milton Keynes, said a World Rugby statement. Japan won the game 26 / 5.
Frans Malherbe
Lwazi Mvovo
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer decided to keep continuity for South Africa’s final Rugby World Cup Pool B match.
The Springboks face the United States at London’s Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.
The starting line-up shows only 2 changes from the team that recorded a 34 / 16 victory over Scotland in Newcastle last Saturday.
As a result Frans Malherbe will start his 1st match of the season for South Africa, while Rudy Paige could make his Test debut off the bench against the United States.
Malherbe comes in at tighthead prop for Jannie du Plessis, in the only change to the pack.
The backline shows only 1 personnel change as well – at wing, where Lwazi Mvovo takes over from JP Pietersen, with Bryan Habana moving over to the right wing.
Pietersen was not considered this week due to injury, while a decision was taken to give Du Plessis and Victor Matfield time to get over some niggles due to the short turn-around after the Scotland match.
Joining Paige on the bench is Morné Steyn, who both could get their 1st taste of Rugby World Cup action this year.
Schalk Brits and Coenie Oosthuizen are also back amongst the replacements this week.
England have dropped 2 places to 8th in the World Rugby rankings after their World Cup defeat to Australia at Twickenham.
Only once before, in 2009, have England been as low as 8 on the list. There were times in 2003 and 2004 when they were the No 1 team in the world.
If Scotland were to register 2 more victories at the Rugby World Cup, they could move up and push England even lower. Never, since the rankings began in 2003, have England been outside the top 8. Only 4 other teams – New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and France – have maintained a top-8 place since the rankings began.
8 Teams have moved up 1 place in the rankings, which are based on results and the level of opposition.
Under the points exchange system used to calculate rankings, sides take points off each other based on the match result – whatever 1 side gains, the other loses. Such points exchanges are doubled during Rugby World Cup to recognise the unique importance of this event.
4 Nations have dropped down: Wales by 1 place from 2 to 3, Ireland by 1 from 4 to 5, England by 2 from 6 to 8, and Samoa by 4 from 11 to 15.
The 8 risers, all by 1 place, are Australia to 2nd, South Africa to 4th, France to 6th, Argentina to 7th, Japan to 11th, Tonga to 12th, Italy to 13th and Georgia to 14th.
Niku Kruger
USA Eagles coach Mike Tolkin has made 12 changes to the starting line-up that lost to Scotland, for their clash against South Africa on Wednesday.
Only twice have the Eagles made more changes between Rugby World Cup matches, having made 14 changes between their 2nd and 3rd, and between their 3rd and 4th, matches in 2011 in New Zealand.
Only Phil Thiel, Samu Manoa and Blaine Scully have retained their place in the starting line-up from the Scotland match.
The matchday 23 includes 7 players who have not played in the Rugby World Cup 2015 so far. 5 Of them – Louis Stanfill, Matthew Trouville, Niku Kruger, Zach Test and Andrew Suniula – will start and 2 others – Joe Taufetee and Mate Moeakiola – are on the bench.
The match will be a big occasion for Kruger who was born in South Africa.
“Niku will be thrilled to be in his 1st World Cup match and playing versus South Africa,” Tolkin said. “He is a young man with a lot of potential and it is great that our young talent is getting an opportunity to play and gain valuable experience.”
Heyneke Meyer
South Africa’s Springboks have restored a semblance of order and normality again, after the shock loss in Round 1 against Japan, which was followed up by good wins over Samoa and Scotland on the weekend.
The Springboks now top their Rugby World Cup Pool (Pool B), leading Scotland by 1 Log Point (11 points to 10), after the same amount of games and with only 1 Round of Pool stage games left.
Japan is not out of the running in the Pool yet, a further 2 points adrift, but with their only remaining game the one against the USA Eagles and one they could well win as well.
The focus for the Springboks now shift to the game against the USA Eagles on Wednesday evening.
While there has been praise and some redemption for the Springboks and Heyneke Meyer, the job is not yet done.
The only injury concern is that of JP Pietersen, who suffered a knee injury on the weekend against Scotland.
There has been a lot of praise heaped on Handré Pollard for his performance against Scotland, playing next to the captain and general of the day, Fourie du Preez.
Lood de Jager, who was named Man Of The Match against Scotland deserves all the plaudits he is currently getting but he remains focussed and humble in the process, declaring that he’ll defend his country with everything he’s got.
In the meantime, speculation has been rife and a lot of opinion has been bandied about regarding the team selection for the game against USA on Wednesday and one of the 1st questions asked is if Rudy Paige will be drafted into the match-day 23 for the USA clash. Only 2 players have not had any game time yet, Paige and Morné Steyn.
Rob Horne
Australian wing Rob Horne remains a doubt to play against Wales but his tournament is not over yet, Wallabies defence coach Nathan Grey said Monday.
The 26-year-old had to go off in the 10th minute of Australia’s crushing 33 / 13 win over England on Saturday which consigned their opponents to becoming the 1st World Cup hosts to fail to get out of the pool stage.
“Rob Horne’s scans and tests came back a bit better than expected,” said Grey at the Australian’s morning press conference.
Michael Hooper
Australian Wallabies flank Michael Hooper could miss the Pool A decider with Wales after being cited over an incident during their crushing 33 / 13 defeat of England.
The incident concerning the 23-year-old – who along with fellow back row forward David Pocock were outstanding against England – took place in the 39th minute when he flung himself into a ruck leading with his shoulder which resulted in just a ticking off by French referee Romain Poite and a penalty being awarded to England when it was deep inside their own 22.
However, the independent citing commissioner Steve Hinds decided further action should be taken.
“Michael Hooper has been cited for an alleged act of foul play contrary to Law 10.4(h) – Charging into a ruck or maul without use of the arms or grasping the player – during the 39th minute of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, 3 October,” read the statement form the organisers.
Hooper’s hearing will take place on Tuesday morning in London and be heard by independent Judicial Officer Alan Hudson.
Stuart Lancaster in absolute abject dismay after the loss by England to Australia
With the weekend loss by England against the Australian Wallabies by 13 / 33 and effectively putting them well beyond reaching the Quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup, there has been a lot of discussion and fallout regarding their coaching structures, squad selections, game approach and a lot of scribes and supporters baying for their blood.
England will now be the first Host Nation not to advance past the Pool stages in a Rugby World Cup.
We will summarise a look at how it hits England in the pocket, what their immediate reactions are, who leads the taunts against them, their public apology to their nation, the scars left by the defeat and early exit and whether their coach Stuart Lancaster will survive as England coach, to fight another day.
The Scotland squad issued the following medical bulletin on Sunday after Saturday’s (3 October) 34 / 16 loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup at St James’ Park.
Hooker Ross Ford failed an in-game HIA (head injury assessment) meaning he will now follow the graduated return-to-play protocol, as will centre Matt Scott, who reported delayed onset concussion symptoms post match.
Fullback Stuart Hogg left the field of play in the 63rd minute of the Test match having suffered cramp to his legs and lower back, however he is not considered an immediate concern.
Further knocks include a dead leg for lock Jonny Gray and a mild knee strain for centre Richie Vernon. Both players will continue to be monitored and rehabilitated by the Scotland medical team.