Former Munster and Irish out-half, Ronan O’Gara, queried the current state of the game on Twitter yesterday, expressing concern over the thrilling yet controversial conclusion to the Scotland-France match.
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In a tense Six Nations encounter at Murrayfield, Scotland’s potential game-winning try was denied due to an inconclusive last-gasp review.
Referee Nic Berry had initially called it a no-try, despite replays suggesting the ball was grounded amidst a mass of players.
The TV pictures could not definitively confirm or refute the decision. Scotland captain Finn Russell believed it was a try but acknowledged the referee’s authority, saying, “It’s up to the referee.”
Head coach Gregor Townsend, frustrated by the turn of events, shared his disbelief, stating, “We were celebrating in the coaches’ box.
“We could hear the TMO’s conversation with the referee, saying ‘the ball was on the foot, then the ball was down,’ and then he changes his mind and says ‘stick with the on-field decision.’ I don’t know what you can say.”
O’Gara, expressing dissatisfaction with the impact of officials, criticized the complexity of the rules and laws in the sport, asking, “Is there any other sport where the officials have such an impact? Too many rules/laws… too complicated.”
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“0/10” – Five players who flopped in the 2024 Six Nations today
Below, we look at five players who across the day who failed to perform for their respected nation.
FIVE PLAYERS WHO FLOPPED:
#1. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Rugby Dump 4/10: “Pretty anonymous throughout as he rarely got his hands on the ball. He did save a certain French try albeit in controversial circumstances as he appeared to go high but got away with it.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “Like Rowe. the behemoth flyer did not see much of the ball but when he did, he kept France‘s defence busy. He eventually gained 18 attacking metres from five runs and was pretty anonymous on defence as he only made three tackles but missed two of those.”
Rugby 365 5.5/10: “Came off his left wing to make the extra man in the attack that led to White’s try, but didn’t have the ball in his hands enough from a Scottish point of view. Well shackled by the French defence, and made one excellent cover tackle to collar Fickou after the centre’s coruscating break.”