England coach criticises homophobic abuse directed at openly gay match official

England coach Stuart Lancaster has reacted to allegations that referee Nigel Owens was the subject of homophobic abuse at Twickenham by warning fans that such behaviour has no place in the game.

The Rugby Football Union is probing the claims made in a letter written to a national newspaper by a spectator who attended the 24-21 defeat by New Zealand in last Saturday's opening QBE International.