England came under fire for using controversial tactic during the 2024 Six Nations

This involves implementing time constraints on goal-kicking, scrums, lineouts, and incorporating water breaks. The bunker system has also been introduced to speed up decision making in games.

While these initiatives is a positive step forward, there is a lingering question regarding the omission of the Caterpillar Ruck, which is arguably the most egregious form of time-wasting in rugby union. 

England, along with other nations across the Six Nations, employed this tactic on multiple occasions during their 27-24 victory against Italy, yet it continues to evade the scrutiny of World Rugby’s regulatory authorities, raising concerns about its persistence in the sport.

The Caterpillar technique involves players lining up single file behind a ruck, creating a sequential formation of players behind it. This formation provides a significant advantage for the scrumhalf, allowing them to execute box kicks without the concern of opposing defenders charging them down. This is because these defenders are positioned too distantly from the scrumhalf to effectively intervene or challenge the kick.

One fan wrote: "I hope world rugby comes to their senses and starts next season outlawing the caterpillar. Definitely not needed in the modern game."

Another added: “Surely a law could be brought in stating that once the ball is available at the back of the ruck, no extra players may join unless it’s to prevent a counter ruck attempt, or something.”

A third commented: “As if the game isnt slow enough, they do this 4 or 5 times a game..hate this stuff..soooo boring.”

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He wrote in his column: "With the game crying out for less stoppages and for more attacking rugby, a general philosophy around allowing the game to flow should be the focus of what the selectors are feeding back to match officials."

RUCK Judgment: Spot on – it just makes sense that referees are recognised for promoting gameplay rather than enforcing rules to the extent that the game halts more frequently than in American Football.

He wrote: "Nothing sucks the life out of a stadium more than a promising attack being stopped by a referee’s whistle for a technical side entry or, even worse, an attacker going off their feet even if the contest is already lost.

"One of the officials who will referee during this tournament penalised the attack 72 per cent of the time at the breakdowns during the World Cup.

"That means three out of the four times his whistle went, it was against the attack, killing the flow of the game."

RUCK Judgment: Easier in theory than in practice. In a perfect world, we would concur with Wayne.

He wrote: "With an average of 200 breakdowns, 10 scrums and 20 line-outs, a referee will make around 230 decisions during a match. The majority of time he or she will be asking themselves, “do I need to blow my whistle and stop the game?”

"Whenever there is any doubt as to whether there was an infringement or not, the referee should resist blowing their whistle and help to improve the game’s flow."

RUCK Judgment: Absolutely right - adhering to the age-old adage of 'let the boys play.'

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This extraordinary feat is as scarce as they come, with only 20 players accomplishing the remarkable three-try milestone since the Championship expanded to six nations in 2000.

Notably, a couple of players have even pulled off this astonishing feat twice, adding an extra layer of prestige to their rugby prowess.

Now, take a moment to rewind and test your memory. Can you recall the names of these exceptional hat-trick heroes?

If you manage a perfect score, you'll undoubtedly be entitled to a celebration on par with the jubilant antics witnessed by some of the stars on this illustrious list.