Teams could be fined by rugby union's ruling body, the IRB, if their players wear scrum caps displaying manufacturers' logos. IRB chief executive Stephen Baines said yesterday manufacturers were "trying to get away with something for nothing" and he was determined to protect the official sponsors of the tournament.

"Those players who are wearing headgear with logos on are clearly breaching tournament rules. The most likely outcome, I would think, would be fines," Baines said. "We've got lists of the players who have broken our rules. People are paying a lot of money to sponsor this rugby World Cup while these manufacturers are trying to get away with something for nothing."

Baines said he believed three US players contravened the "no logo" regulation during their opening game against Ireland.