Scrum, foul play, TMO - what can we expect from refs this autumn?

Published7 hours ago

The number of tries in international rugby has rocketed from six to eight per match in the space of just two years as World Rugby looks to futureproof the game.

It has laid out a vision of a safer and more continuous sport, but with a desire to "embrace the contest" around the breakdown and set-piece.

As part of the manifesto, the sport's world governing body will ramp up fan engagement and has launched a study using biometric sensors to find out what excites and invigorates supporters during matches.

Before the return of the Nations Championship, the top 24 international head coaches met with World Rugby officials outside London to discuss how the game will look over the coming month.

According to World Rugby sources, the coaches highlighted a number of "grey areas"; for example the scrum and breakdown, deliberate knock-ons and foul play in the act of scoring.

However, the coaches were said to be broadly supportive with the number of tries and the increase in ball-in-play time across the international game, which referee insiders attribute to an increase in speed and a consistent approach to the breakdown from officials and players.

Other top referees believe there is now more fatigue in the game, with officials encouraged to form scrums and line-outs within 30 seconds - which has helped with space and scoring opportunities.

As well as a rise in the number of tries scored, the number of penalties kicked has dropped from 3.5 in 2024 to 1.5 in 2026. The data was collected from all Nations Championship and Nations Cup games in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

The day after the coaches summit, a wider group of World Rugby match officials met at a conference attended by BBC Sport. The refereeing of the scrum, foul play and the use of the Television Match Official (TMO) were all high on the agenda.

The scrum presentation was led by former Scotland and Wales coach Jonathan Humphreys, while feted Wales and British and Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland was also in attendance in his capacity as a World Rugby advisor.

Former Kiwi official Brendon Pickerill, who was part of the refereeing team for the 2023 World Cup semi-final, led on foul play and the role of the TMO.

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Fixtures and standings as Nations Championship returns

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Fixtures and standings as Nations Championship returns

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Special focus will be put on the following areas this November:

Scrum: Both loosehead props must have their right shoulders out to encourage a fair and even contest. The hooker must have his brake foot grounded in the tunnel to ensure scrum stability.

Scrum: Both loosehead props must have their right shoulders out to encourage a fair and even contest. The hooker must have his brake foot grounded in the tunnel to ensure scrum stability.

TMO: Will only come in for "clear and obvious" decisions. They will intervene in a "short window of opportunity" or otherwise will leave calls to the on-field officials. The TMO's remit will largely revolve around foul play and try-scoring situations.

TMO: Will only come in for "clear and obvious" decisions. They will intervene in a "short window of opportunity" or otherwise will leave calls to the on-field officials. The TMO's remit will largely revolve around foul play and try-scoring situations.

Foul play: Crackdown on "hip-drop" tackles, with the entry point for sanction a yellow card. This is where a defender grabs an opponent from the side or behind, swings or rotates around them, and drops their body weight directly on to the ball carrier's lower limbs.

Foul play: Crackdown on "hip-drop" tackles, with the entry point for sanction a yellow card. This is where a defender grabs an opponent from the side or behind, swings or rotates around them, and drops their body weight directly on to the ball carrier's lower limbs.

Reinforcement of the law around tacklers dropping to their knees before making a tackle.

Reinforcement of the law around tacklers dropping to their knees before making a tackle.

Red cards: As has been the case since its introduction, all offences around the tackle and breakdown deemed to reach a red-card threshold will result in a 20-minute red card. The Head Contact Process - the checklist officials use to sanction foul play - has been updated to include illegal acts at the breakdown.

Red cards: As has been the case since its introduction, all offences around the tackle and breakdown deemed to reach a red-card threshold will result in a 20-minute red card. The Head Contact Process - the checklist officials use to sanction foul play - has been updated to include illegal acts at the breakdown.

A permanent red card is reserved for egregious acts of foul play away from the ball.

A permanent red card is reserved for egregious acts of foul play away from the ball.

The Nations Championship returns on Friday, 6 November as Ireland host Argentina in Dublin, and the tournament culminates in a finals weekend at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham at the end of the month.

On finals weekend, all matches apart from the showpiece will use a "golden point" scoring system to determine the winner if the teams are level after 80 minutes.

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