Rugby World Cup: England booted from Twickenham home shed thanks to quirky tradition

ENGLAND has been relegated to the “away” sheds at Twickenham and forced to wear its red strip for the World Cup opener against Fiji thanks to a quirky tradition.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Burgess and Calum Clark who have all been included into the England squad to face France tomorrow pose after the England captain's run at Twickenham Stadium on August 14, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

HOSTS England have been booted from their more spacious home dressing room at Twickenham and been told they can’t wear white for their World Cup opener.

One of the World Cup’s little-known traditions is the team managers’ meeting and the mass coin toss to decide “home” team at all venues which are deemed neutral at the tournament.

That’s includes England’s beloved home at Twickers.

Thankfully England is leaving its purple “away” jersey on the bus.

In a delicious touch, the flying Fijians, the only other top international side to wear white, won the toss, have taken the home dressing room for September 18 and the white jersey rights.

Mercifully, the English aren’t inflicting another black, grey or purple jersey horror on the world as their away strip. It will be straight red.

Intriguingly, the Wallabies won the toss but preferred to take the familiar visitors’ dressing room for their big Pool clash against England.

FORMER WALLABY LANDS IN TONGA

FORMER Wallabies backs coach Jim McKay, an unfortunate casualty when the Ewen McKenzie empire folded last year, is heading to the World Cup afterall.

McKay is on board as attack coach for Tonga.

THE OUTCASTS XV

James Horwill would slot into a World Cup “outcasts” team.

JAMES Horwill, Scott Higginbotham and Nic White aren’t the only quality players hurting at been cut from World Cup squads.

Try this for an Outcasts XV of unlucky non-selections because this combined side would make the quarter-finals.

Israel Dagg (NZ), James O’Connor (A), Luther Burrell (E), Christian Lealiifano (A), Cory Jane (NZ), Lima Sopoaga (NZ), Mike Phillips (W), Scott Higginbotham (A), Liam Gill (A), Marcell Coetzee (SA), James Horwill (A), James Broadhurst (NZ), Alex Corbisiero (E), Richard Hibbard (W), Benn Robinson (A). Drinks waiter: Danny Cipriani (E)