England head coach Steve Borthwick has cautioned his players to exercise caution with the interpretations of scrum and breakdown situations by Test referees during the impending Six Nations tournament.
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Borthwick contends that Premiership referees exhibit superior proficiency compared to their Test counterparts in maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of rugby’s rucks and scrums.
Amid accusations of England employing questionable tactics in previous instances to gain an edge over opponents in set-piece scenarios, the head coach is keen to ensure his squad navigates the upcoming challenges with a heightened awareness of potential referee divergences.
“The nature of the breakdown is refereed differently in international rugby and the nature of the scrum is refereed differently in international rugby,” Borthwick said.
“Teams having the opportunity to scrum for penalties is important [but] we’re looking at too many scrums not getting to the contest. I like the scrum contest and I don’t want that to leave our game.
“Sometimes, what we’re doing is taking that contest away a little bit by wanting the ball in and out and if it doesn’t stay up then we’re playing away and we’re not having another scrum. We know Test rugby is not like that. Test rugby, the scrum is a contest, as we found out – while improving – to our cost in the World Cup semi-final.
“The breakdown is a huge contest as well. English referees, the way they referee the Premiership, the speed of ball is high and they want the ball out of that breakdown. The area around the ball is clean in the Premiership because if it’s not, it’s penalised.
“At Test rugby, that’s different. At Test rugby, that area is not as clean as that and the back row becomes one of the biggest notes I review every session, every game, every tournament. When it comes to the breakdown, everyone’s got a responsibility but the back row are key.
“You see so many good back rows in the Six Nations and that means the breakdown is a real contest area. There is no competition in world rugby that has a turnover rate as high as the Six Nations.
“Everything we have is saying that the breakdown competition is fierce. We’re also seeing that the standard of the defence, as you go up the levels, is higher so less tackles are being missed and it’s getting harder and harder.”
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“Long overdue” – Three more much-needed rugby law changes for 2024
Following in-depth conversations with several rugby experts, we have taken a decisive step forward, putting forth three innovative suggestions that could revolutionise the sport.
These proposed changes aim to bring about positive enhancements, ensuring a significant impact on the game while upholding its integrity and safeguarding against any potential misconduct.
Our thoughtful considerations have led us to advocate for alterations that not only elevate the overall rugby experience but also contribute to its sustained growth and appeal.
#1. Marking outside the 22
In the annals of the game, the fair catch rule, tracing its origins back to the very genesis of written laws in 1846, holds a storied legacy. Once a pivotal element, it has gradually receded into the shadows, its significance occasionally diminished.
In the bygone era, a mark could be asserted from any kick on the field. Gradually, restrictions crept in; certain kicks were exempt, confined only within your own 22 meters. Further modifications emerged, demanding the ball be propelled into your 22 by the opponents, untouched by your own side.
This evolution birthed the infamous box kick, a beloved tactic among scrum-halves, sometimes favoured over passing to the fly-half.
The essence of this change lies in discouraging excessive kicking, a move aimed at reshaping the very fabric of the game.
