Russia expelled from World Cup

Russia have been expelled from the Rugby World Cup qualifying tournament after it was found they fielded three ineligible players.

The Spanish Rugby Union made a complaint relating to the trio – Johan Hendriks, Reiner Volshenck and Werner Pieterse, who were all born in South Africa – following their narrow two-leg qualifying defeat at the hands of Russia in October and November last year.

An independent judicial officer found that Rugby Union of Russia (RUR) officials were unable to provide evidence that the three were eligible to play and the team were turfed out of the competition.

The RUR now have two weeks to appeal against their expulsion and the £75,000 fine.

Russia were scheduled to play Tunisia on January 25 in the first leg of a home-and away qualifying tie, with the winner going on to play the United States for a place at the World Cup in October, but that fixture has now been cancelled.