England could face a fine after their V-shape response to New Zealand’s haka in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final.
The Red Rose created the formation around the All Blacks in a bid to intimidate their opponents as they went through their famous pre-match cultural ritual.
Captain Owen Farrell was pictured with a confident smirk on his face as he was flanked by his teammates either side.
But their actions could face punishment from World Rugby, who are due to analyse the scenario on Monday.
The “cultural ritual protocol” states that opponents must not cross the halfway line, but several England stars had ventured into the All Blacks half.
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(Image: World Rugby via Getty Images)
Officials could be seen asking players at both tips of the V to retreat, including Joe Marler, Billy Vunipola, Mark Wilson, Elliot Daly, Luke Cowan‑Dickie and Ben Youngs, but failed to succeed.
As reported by Wales Online , France played a similar trick in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final, and were handed a £2,500 fine as a result.
Farrell said: “We knew we had to be in a radius behind them. we wanted to not just stand there and let them come at us. We wanted to be respectful but we didn’t just want to stand in a flat line.”
England’s move is thought to have been masterminded by boss Eddie Jones, who saw his side dominate the world champions in a colossal performance.
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(Image: Pixel8000)
An early try from Manu Tuilagi set England on their way to a 19-7 victory, with George Ford showing pinpoint accuracy with his boot.
They now head into Saturday’s final against South Africa – who beat Wales in the other semi-final thanks to a late penalty kick from Handre Pollard.
One disappointment in the England camp was an injury to replacement scrum-half Willi Heinz, who will not feature in the tournaments showpiece.
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Saracens’ Ben Spencer is now flying out to Japan to join up with the squad for the final as cover for starter Ben Youngs.
The 27-year-old only has three international caps to his name so far in his career.
Mirror columnist Paul Grayson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It takes six, seven, eight days to get over the jet lag, even if I am sure Ben Spencer is travelling in the right part of the plane.
“Could he have been better prepared by being involved with the squad more often? It’s certainly not ideal preparation.”
Rugby World Cup winner Matt Dawson added: “”As much as Ben has been in and around the squad, to be parachuted in for the World Cup final – it would be a heck of a story if he got on.
“He’s absolutely the right guy. He’s got that ability to control, he’s been playing in a Saracens side and his game management is good. He was absolutely the number one man.”