Tuilagi fined for sponsored mouthguard

Tuilagi wore an Opro mouthguard during England’s two victories over Argentina and Georgia.

His older brother Alesana, who plays for Samoa, was also sanctioned for the same offence last week.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) said Tuilagi’s breach of the rules was a “genuine error” resulting in a fine of NZ$10,000 (£4,800).

An RFU spokesman said that England had received no other fines for breaches during the tournament.

“Manu wore a mouthguard where the branding was visible in the Georgia match when it shouldn’t have been so therefore he’s been fined 10,000 New Zealand dollars,” he said.

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Not deliberate

Tuilagi, who is expected to play against France on Saturday, insisted he did not deliberately flout the International Rugby Board’s strict advertising and sponsorship rules.

“I didn’t know I had worn the wrong gumshield and I got fined for it.

“(My brother and I) always wore the same mouthguard. Mine is the England one from the under-18s, but it’s not allowed in the World Cup,” he added.

“I coloured it in with marker pen for the Romania game. I wore it against Argentina but they didn’t know.”

Tuilagi’s fine follows the suspension of two members of England’s coaching staff, after they illegally changed the ball during England’s win over Romania.