LONDON, Dec 17 (Reuters) – When FA officials view footage of Marouane Fellaini’s triple assault on Ryan Shawcross in Saturday’s Premier League match between Everton and Stoke City they could do the game a huge favour by freezing the action a second before each incident.

Fellaini faces an almost certain ban and fine for his two butts and a light cuff, all missed by the referee, as the FA now routinely uses video evidence to retrospectively punish players for violent conduct offences. Some hysterical media reaction even suggested the Belgian could be suspended for nine games – three for each “offence”.

LONDON (Reuters) – Second row forward Joe Launchbury was voted England’s “man of the series” on Friday following his impressive displays in their four autumn internationals where he made his debut.

The powerful 21-year-old made such an impact off the bench in the win over Fiji and defeat to Australia that he was given his first start in the one point defeat by South Africa and retained his spot for last week’s famous 38-21 victory over New Zealand.

LONDON, Dec 7 (Reuters) – Second row forward Joe Launchbury was voted England’s “man of the series” on Friday following his impressive displays in their four autumn internationals where he made his debut.

The powerful 21-year-old made such an impact off the bench in the win over Fiji and defeat to Australia that he was given his first start in the one point defeat by South Africa and retained his spot for last week’s famous 38-21 victory over New Zealand.

LONDON (Reuters) – Hosts England and Six Nations champions Wales paid a heavy price for the November defeats that sent them tumbling them down the rankings when they were put in a tough pool with Australia in the draw for the 2015 rugby World Cup on Monday.

Holders New Zealand, who have never lost a pool game in the tournament, got a favourable draw as they will face Argentina, Tonga and two qualifiers.

LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) – Hosts England and Six Nations champions Wales paid a heavy price for the November defeats that sent them tumbling them down the rankings when they were put in a tough pool with Australia in the draw for the 2015 rugby World Cup on Monday.

Holders New Zealand, who have never lost a pool game in the tournament, got a favourable draw as they will face Argentina, Tonga and two qualifiers.

LONDON (Reuters) – English rugby writers had a busy Saturday night as their pre-written obituaries on the nation’s November series had to be hastily rescripted into paeans of praise in the wake of the astonishing events at Twickenham.

England’s record-breaking 38-21 demolition of a New Zealand team unbeaten in 20 matches instantly transformed the defeats by South Africa and Australia into mere footnotes.

LONDON, Dec 2 (Reuters) – English rugby writers had a busy Saturday night as their pre-written obituaries on the nation’s November series had to be hastily rescripted into paeans of praise in the wake of the astonishing events at Twickenham.

England’s record-breaking 38-21 demolition of a New Zealand team unbeaten in 20 matches instantly transformed the defeats by South Africa and Australia into mere footnotes.

LONDON (Reuters) – Clive Woodward always points to the 27-27 draw with New Zealand in 1997 as the moment England began their journey towards a 2003 World Cup triumph.

Current coach Stuart Lancaster will hope Saturday’s astonishing 38-21 victory over the world champions will prove a similar launch pad.

LONDON, Dec 1 (Reuters) – Clive Woodward always points to the 27-27 draw with New Zealand in 1997 as the moment England began their journey towards a 2003 World Cup triumph.

Current coach Stuart Lancaster will hope Saturday’s astonishing 38-21 victory over the world champions will prove a similar launch pad.

LONDON (Reuters) – England produced one of their finest performances ever to stun New Zealand 38-21 and end the world champions’ 20-game unbeaten run in the most spectacular style on a memorable and quite remarkable afternoon at Twickenham on Saturday.

New Zealand, who had won their last nine games against England and not dropped a European tour game for 10 years, were 12-1 on favourites at the start.