Rugby World Cup: Wales have not broken rules - Warren Gatland

Wales coach Warren Gatland defended his use of non-World Cup squad players during training sessions after being warned by tournament organisers.

World Rugby said "no deliberate breach was intended" but Wales contravened "the spirit" of the rules by inviting omitted players omitted to training.

Gatland's side face England at Twickenham on Saturday (20:00 BST) in their second match of the tournament.

"We haven't broken any rules. I don't know what we have done wrong," he said.

"Apparently we have broken the 'spirit of the rules'. What that means, we don't know."

Regulations state players who did not make the final 31-man squads cannot take part in practice sessions.

BBC Sport understands non-squad players trained against the Wales team - announced on Thursday - to face England.

Nicky Smith, Rob Evans, Rhys Patchell, Jordan Williams, Dan Baker, Kristian Dacey, Dan Fish and Aled Summerhill were reportedly involved in a session on Wednesday at London Irish's training ground in Sunbury, West London.

Had Wales asked a local club to help make up the numbers, there would have been no issue.

A World Rugby statement read: "All participating teams have been informed that additional players from the extended squad, including potential injury replacements, may not be included in any training sessions."