Wales rally around Warburton

WALES’ World Cup squad have rallied behind their suspended skipper Sam Warburton after he was sent off during an agonising semi-final defeat against France on Saturday.

Warburton will miss next Friday’s third place play-off game following his appearance at a World Cup disciplinary hearing in Auckland yesterday.

The independent judicial officer, England’s Christopher Quinlan QC, hit Warburton with a three-week ban following his 18th-minute red card when he committed what was deemed a dangerous tip tackle on France wing Vincent Clerc.