Smith: referee acted under Welsh pressure

ENGLAND coach Brian Smith yesterday claimed referee Jonathan Kaplan was influenced by pressure from the Wales management in last weekend’s RBS 6 Nations clash.

Kaplan sent Mike Tindall and Andy Goode to the sin-bin and awarded 14 penalties against England, which helped Wales secure a 23-15 victory at the Millennium Stadium.

England’s discipline has been under the spotlight since Martin Johnson took charge and they have now been shown eight yellow cards in three Tests, which equates to a whole match down to 14 men.