TV officials are handed more power in rugby’s Premiership

 
Giuseppe Muro20 August 2012

Video technology will be relied on to a much greater extent in the new ­season, the Rugby Football Union announced today.

In fixtures broadcast live on television, referees will now be able to ask the television match official for a ruling on any incident in the lead-up to a try, going back to the last stoppage in play.

TMOs will also have the power to alert the referee if the official has missed an infringement.

Ed Morrison, the head of the RFU’s professional referee development, said: “The modern game is fast-paced and action packed and it is important that our officials are equipped with the best tools to ensure that sometimes critical incidents are observed and acted upon.

“The referee is in charge of the game but to be able to draw on the TMO will help us ­maintain the high standards of ­officiating.”

Phil Winstanley, rugby director at Premiership Rugby, added: “The TMO trial allows us to maintain the integrity of our competition by ensuring that the match officials are given the utmost support in getting crucial d­ecisions right. We are extremely mindful about ensuring that we achieve a balance between protecting the integrity of the game and impacting on the dynamic nature of our sport by creating too many stoppages.”

The use of a so-called ‘concussion bin’ will also be given a trial. Players will be required to leave the field for five minutes to undergo cognitive tests if the team doctor or referee suspects they may have suffered concussion.

Dr Simon Kemp, the RFU’s head of sports medicine, said: “Being able to temporarily remove the player from the field will allow medical practitioners to perform a more sophisticated assessment than presently and better decisions to be made.”

The Premiership were chosen by the International Rugby Board to test both initiatives which will come into play with the double header at Twickenham on September 1, when London Wasps take on Harlequins and Saracens host London Irish.

Winstanley said: “We have a reputation for innovation and this is another example of how both Premiership Rugby and the RFU is at the forefront of the game’s development.”

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