England’s Rugby World Cup social media guidelines revealed by The Telegraph

ENGLAND’S rugby team have been told to stay away from Twitter after a tough loss as part of a long list of social media guidelines for this year’s World Cup.

England's head coach Stuart Lancaster watches his team warm up before the start of their Six Nations rugby union match against Italy at Twickenham Stadium in London, Sunday, March 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

ENGLAND’S rugby team have been told to stay away from Twitter after a tough loss as part of a long list of social media guidelines for this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Players have also been warned to refrain from posting pictures of drinking, smoking, nudity or while driving.

The spotlight will shine brightly on England’s players, as the host nation for the 20-team tournament in September and October.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry made a point of encouraging his players to embrace the hype of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand but it appears England boss Stuart Lancaster is taking the opposite approach.

England coach Stuart Lancaster before a game against Italy in 2013.

England’s Rugby Football Union will block their players writing newspaper columns or shooting video diaries during the tournament, with Lancaster viewing those activities as a distraction.

The Telegraph newspaper also gained access to a copy of a 24-point social media guide for the World Cup, which includes the advice: “do not post when you are in a bad mood or immediately after a tough loss” and warns: “Other players may try to provoke you via social media. Don’t react.”

England are trying to rebound from a disastrous 2011 World Cup campaign, in which players were embroiled in a dwarf throwing controversy during a boozy night out and Manu Tuilagi was fined £3000 after jumping from a ferry in Auckland.

Martin Johnson’s 2011 side were beaten by France in the quarterfinals.

England’s Manu Tuilagi celebrates scoring a try during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The RFUs top five social media dos and don’ts, as provided by The Telegraph, are as follows:

1) Do not post when you are in a bad mood or immediately after a tough loss.

2) Fans of other teams or other players may try to provoke you via social media. Do not react to this.

3) Do not post pictures of drinking, smoking, nudity or while driving — that is illegal.

4) If you enjoy a good win or achieve a personal milestone, take 30 seconds to tweet a “thank you” to the fans who were there to cheer for you or support you online.

5) Share photos when the team takes part in community projects and any other interesting insights into your life as a professional rugby player, but be mindful of private team areas which should not be shown to the public (i.e. the performance centre).

Originally published as England’s Rugby World Cup social media guidelines revealed by The Telegraph