Wood, 28, took to Twitter to apologise to Williams after the later awoke from his unconsciousness caused by a kick to the head.
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Williams was carried off on a stretcher after Wood’s boot connected with his head as the flanker went for a loose ball, and the full-back is now an injury doubt with suspected concussion.
Rugby World Cup organisers have announced that England flanker Tom Wood is free to play in Saturday’s Pool A showdown with Australia.
Wood has been warned over the incident, but the match citing commissioner, Maurizio Vancini, decided that it equated to a yellow card, meaning he will be available for selection for Saturday’s encounter with the unbeaten Wallabies.
“Under the Rugby World Cup 2015 Disciplinary Programme, a Citing Commissioner Warning equates to a yellow card in sanction”.
Under the tournament regulations, a citing commissioner has the power to call a player to account for an act of foul play that he or she feels warranted a red card, regardless of whether it had been seen by the match officials.
Meanwhile, the news regarding Wood is a timely boost for an England side standing on the precipice of becoming the first host nation to exit the World Cup at the pool stage.
England likely has to beat the Australians to stay alive in the tournament. “The outcome was not something I intended obviously”, Wood said. Awful to see u stretchered off because of me.
“It’s something I’m not proud of but there was no intent there. Probably not because the ball was bouncing at my feet and I was at full tilt looking for the ball; it was unfortunate I caught him sweet with the shin”.
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“He was in the shower when I went in to the dressing room but I caught up with a few of the Wales players and they assured me he was on his feet and feeling better and moving around okay”.
