Scotland intends to request clarification from World Rugby regarding the decisive decision to not grant them a match-winning try at Murrayfield.
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Despite acknowledging that any insights would offer limited solace following Saturday’s 16-20 loss to France, head coach Gregor Townsend indicated that the on-field referee, Nic Berry, ought to have played a more decisive role in the conclusive review determining the match’s outcome.
Reiterating his belief that replacement Sam Skinner grounded the ball, Townsend said: “The TMO influenced the referee more [with the final call]. They have quite a big screen in that corner, so it should be the referee that decides.
“I don’t think I am being biased here to say the ball was put on the try line, I think everybody sees that. It’s how we get to the correct decision.
“If it was held up and we’re here going that we’re gutted to have been held up to win a game, that would have been the right decision. But for us it clearly wasn’t the right decision that they came to at the end.
“It doesn’t really matter. That game moves on. We’ll get feedback, we do regularly, and that’ll be one of some incidents we’ll ask for clarification on, but it doesn’t change the outcome, unfortunately.”
Nigel Owens verdict:
Speaking to the BBC after the game, Owens said: “When the referee gives the on-field decision there had to be clear evidence to overturn that decision.
“Now, it’s. a very difficult decision to make. It all came down to if the TMO believes he has clear evidence.
“I looks like it’s probably on the ground. Was it enough for him to say it’s 100% on the ground. I guess not.
“I’m glad I’m sat here and not on the field.”
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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.”