Rugby World Cup round-up as Tom Curry learns ban fate and France announce team
The first round of matches from the Rugby World Cup proved as controversial as they were exciting, with debate still raging following a series of flashpoints.
Post-match reaction to wins for England and Wales was dominated by refereeing decisions, as was Scotland's defeat to South Africa. The opening ceremony, and national anthems, ahead of hosts France beating New Zealand on the opening night also left much to be desired.
And organisers will be hoping there is more talk about on-field quality after the second round of games this week. France kick things back off when they play Uruguay on Thursday, with Australia vs Fiji on Sunday arguably the pick of the weekend games. Mirror Sport rounds up all the big Rugby World Cup news coming out of France on Tuesday.
Curry learns red card fate
England flanker Tom Curry will be banned for England's next two matches following his red card in the win over Argentina at the Rugby World Cup.
Curry was dismissed just three minutes into the match against the Pumas in Marseille, with England still managing to win 27-10 despite being down to 14 men. The forward attended a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday and has now accepted a three-game ban, to be reduced to two if he completes a Coaching Intervention Programme course.
England star Joe Marler reflects on lowest point after fight with pregnant wife
Tom Curry was sent off after this collision (PA)An Independent Disciplinary Committee held the power to ban Curry for up to six matches, but have shown some leniency given the accidental nature of the incident. The 25-year-old will miss England's two group stages matches against Japan and Chile, but will be eligible to face Samoa on October 7.
France ring changes after All Blacks win
Hosts France have made 12 changes for their Pool A match against Uruguay in Lille on Thursday. Only second row Cameron Woki, wing Gabin Villiere and centre Yoram Moefana keep their places from Friday's 27-13 win over New in Paris, with Toulouse flanker Anthony Jelonch named as captain. Regular Antoine Dupont and No 8 Gregory Alldritt are two big names rested, while hooker Julian Marchand's absence is enforced as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Antoine Dupont won't play against Uruguay (AP)Uruguay are one of the four sides yet to play at the World Cup. The South Americans have won only just three of their previous 15 matches at the tournament, and Thursday will represent their first meeting on this stage with France.
Organisers act after anthem disasters
If the refereeing consistencies hadn't prompted enough debate, then the fallout from the pre-match national anthems has gone into overdrive.
A rendition of La Marseillaise, performed by a youth choir before hosts France's opening win over New Zealand, was savaged by fans. And Welsh supporters, for whom hearty song and rugby have long gone together, were also seething after Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau was effectively butchered before Sunday's win over Fiji.
And now tournament bosses have been prompted into an urgent u-turn. After discussions between the World Cup’s organising committee, World Rugby and France's Sports Minister, it's been widely reported that all national anthems will be re-recorded in time for the second round of matches. Individual nations are also set to be given the choice as to whether the recordings are played, or their anthem is sung by a choir.
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