00-00-0000RU: Russia frozen out of World Cup over illegal South Africans

DUBLIN, Jan 22 AFP - Russia has been banned from this year's rugby World Cup qualifiers after fielding three ineligible South African players during the qualifiers the world governing body the International Rugby Board (IRB) announced today.

The expulsion and a $A200,000 fine comes after Spain lodged a complaint about the players following their defeat in the two-legged World Cup repechage in October and November of last year.

Spain have taken Russia's place following the decision, although the Russians have two weeks to lodge an appeal.

Should they either lose the appeal or not …