TMO protocol row in France v England
The TMO during France v England was accused of breaking protocol, prompting calls for World Rugby to clarify review procedures after the incident (walesonline.co.uk).
France beat England 48-46 in the Six Nations finale at the Stade de France on 14 March 2026, a result that decided the championship. (sixnationsrugby.com) The contentious moment came with England leading 39-38 after a scrum just inside France’s half when Jack van Poortvliet’s pass grazed François Cros and referee Nika Amashukeli initially signalled a penalty advantage for a deliberate knock‑on. (planetrugby.com) The television match official then intervened, informing Amashukeli that the contact was not deliberate, the sanction was reduced, England players—apparently unaware of the change—opted for a speculative kick and France countered through Louis Bielle‑Biarrey to score. (planetrugby.com) Former Test referee Nigel Owens said the TMO “went outside of protocol” in that intervention and argued the correct on‑field decision should have been maintained or, if reversed, ownership returned to a scrum to England. (planetrugby.com) The dispute sits against a backdrop of law trials that gave TMOs expanded authority to identify clear and obvious infringements in the final attacking passage of play, changes that World Rugby approved for global trial from 1 January 2025. (passport.world.rugby) England head coach Steve Borthwick and former referees and commentators have publicly demanded clarification of how those trial protocols were applied in Paris, and analysts have called on World Rugby to explain the communication and decision‑making flow between on‑field officials and the TMO. (planetrugby.com)
