Westwood cleared for World Cup opener

Ben Westwood will be available to play for England against Australia in the opening game of the World Cup after being handed a one-match ban for punching.

Westwood, 32, pleaded guilty to punching Wigan half-back Blake Green in the early stages of Warrington’s Grand Final defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Grade B charge could have earned him a two-match ban, but he will instead just sit out England‘s World Cup warm-up against Italy.

He appeared via video link from England‘s high altitude training camp in South Africa on Tuesday, and was also fined £300.