England's Tom Curry suspended for two matches

Tom Curry has been handed a two-game suspension following his red-card in England's World Cup opener against Argentina.

Curry was initially yellow carded for a head to head tackle on Argentina's Juan Cruz Mallia in the opening minutes of the game. However, his sanction was upgraded to red-card following the bunker review system which was the case with skipper Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola.

The Sale back row will now miss England's Pool C matches against Japan this Sunday and Chile on 23rd September but will be available for the game against Samoa if he successfully completes the World Rugby coaching programme on tackling.

Nevertheless, England will be relieved to have the services of Vunipola for the game against the Brave Blossoms having completed his two-game ban.

"The player accepted the red card and was suspended for two matches (subject to completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme). The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Adam Casselden SC (Australia), joined by former players John Langford (Australia) and Jamie Corsi (Wales)," read a statement from World Rugby.

"The player accepted that foul play occurred and that the offence warranted a red card.

"The Committee noted that the offence carries a mandatory minimum mid-range sanction (six matches), and having considered the mitigating factors, including admission of foul play and correctness of the red card at the first opportunity, an exemplary disciplinary record, apology to the player and good character, reduced the sanction by the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent."