Luger appeared as a substitute during injury time of England’s 35-22 victory over Samoa in Melbourne last Sunday, a result which secured a quarter-final place.

Briefly though, England had 16 players on the pitch, and they were asked to explain themselves by World Cup tournament director Fraser Neill.

England subsequently lodged a protest about one of the match officials, and all required documentation was with World Cup bosses earlier today.

A rap over the knuckles or a fine still seems the most likely course of action, but it is being speculated in some Australian papers today that the case will be passed on to a judicial officer and a hearing held later this week.

Kefu, who was ruled out of the World Cup through injury, has no doubts that England should pay a hefty price.

“They (World Cup officials) need to show courage over England’s extra-man scandal, and strip the Poms of their points,” Kefu told the Brisbane Courier-Mail today.

“It makes no difference that the English sent out Dan Luger at the tail-end of the game when the result was already decided. The bottom line is that rules are rules.

“Even worse, England defied a tournament official. That is the key issue here. To suggest nothing should be done is a joke.

“They should be deducted the points they got from the game and the points handed to Samoa.

“England has got to take a real good look at itself. It showed lack of respect for the tournament official, and the whole thing just smacks of arrogance.”

If England are punished in the way of a points deduction, then it could seriously threaten their hopes of taking their quarter-final place.

England head coach Clive Woodward is due to announce his team, Wednesday, for the final pool game against Uruguay next Sunday.

But the Luger business is still lurking, and he will hope for a quick solution, with World Cup organisers expected to make another announcement during the next 12 hours.