Laporte complaint to be examined

Laporte has already announced his plan to retire this year

The International Rugby Board is to look into a complaint made against France coach Bernard Laporte after an alleged confrontation with a referee.

Stuart Dickinson has made a formal complaint, saying he was confronted by Laporte after France's 42-11 loss to New Zealand last Saturday.

"They will deem whether there is enough to perform a formal inquiry," said IRB referees' chief Paddy O'Brien.

If found guilty of misconduct Laporte could face suspension.

The IRB's code of conduct states a person "shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate a referee, touch judge or other match officials, whether on or off the field of play".

Australian Dickinson, who refereed the first Test, was touch judge for the second and reportedly wanted to apologise to Laporte for some "minor" errors when the pair met in a Wellington hotel.

"If you are appointed to any French games at the World Cup, the French team will not turn up," the French coach was quoted as saying.

Laporte has already announced he will retire after the World Cup, which begins in France on 7 September.