England coaching duo suspended

Alred: Made a mistake

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England kicking coach Dave Alred and fitness specialist Paul Stridgeon have been suspended for the clash with Scotland.

Alred and Stridgeon were found to have illegally switched balls during England's 67-3 victory over Romania.

After the game against the Oaks, there were allegations that fly-half Jonny Wilkinson twice sought to switch the ball that contradicts Law 9.8.1 which states the kicker must convert tries with the same ball that was used to score unless it is defective.

As a result, the Rugby Football Union conducted an investigation into the matter and released a statement saying: "Having conducted a thorough internal review of the matter the RFU has determined the following:

1. Two members of the RFU RWC 2011 team management, David Alred and Paul Stridgeon, mistakenly thought that there was an issue with some of the match balls used in the England v Romania RWC 2011 match.

2. Those team management members took it upon themselves to substitute balls during the match in contravention of both the Laws of the Game and the Spirit of the Game.

3. The RFU fully accepts that the action of those team management members was incorrect and detrimental to the image of the tournament, the Game and to English Rugby.

4. The RFU has therefore decided to reprimand those team management members, to warn them as to their future conduct and to suspend them from participation in England's next game, the match between England and Scotland. This suspension means that they will not be able to be in the stadium for that match in any capacity.

5. The RFU would like to assure RWCL and the IRB of its continued wholehearted support for the tournament and its rules and that the RFU and its team management and members will abide by both the Laws and the Spirit of the Game. The RFU hopes that RWCL is of the view that the RFU has taken appropriate action in this matter and that no further sanctions or actions are required. "

Rugby World Cup Limited has stated that they will not take the matter any further.