Tag

The technology will benefit the Television Match Official (TMO) who will be able to monitor the footage from the cameras. “They shouldn’t have changed it – even though the decision was right”.

No fewer than six TMO referrals lasting a total of 10 minutes occurred during England’s 35-11 tournament-opening win over Fiji last Friday.

England, with a 35-11 win over Fiji, and Wales, who defeated Uruguay 54-9, launched their World Cup campaigns with victories last weekend in a “Pool of Death” also featuring two-time champions Australia.

The Gloucester number eight suffered a knee injury in England’s 35-11 victory over Fiji.

But nothing significant. JJ [Joseph] has a bit of a knock, nothing too serious.

He said: “Ben has a little bang on his knee that isn’t serious at all. We know he is a big-game player and a great competitor and so are the other players around him”.

England forward Billy Vunipola says he had no idea his late try against Fiji had secured a World Cup bonus point.

While the injuries were of grave concern to Gatland, there was also a sense of frustration in the unconvincing nature of Wales’ victory.

Two-try hero Mike Brown may be certain of his place in England’s next World Cup match but coach Stuart Lancaster could do with a few changes for the clash with Wales.

England coach Stuart Lancaster admitted his relief after his team started their World Cup campaign with a win.

Wales are not training until Wednesday at their Surrey base and Gatland remains confident that they can strike a telling blow in the fierce battle to qualify from a group that also includes Australia and Fiji.

Frederic Michalak kicked 19 points as France began the Rugby World Cup with an easy 32-10 win over Pool D rivals Italy.

Former England hooker Brian Moore slammed television match official (TMO) Shaun Veldsman for the length of time he took to make decisions in the Rugby World Cup curtain-raiser.

“It’s an emotional experience, the opening ceremony of the World Cup and beforehand we talked about going out, playing as well as we can and coming away with a win – that was the most important part”.

The substitutes certainly did their chances of facing Wales at Twickenham next Saturday no harm after providing some much needed impetus against a physically imposing Fiji side.