Ronan O’Gara hits out at the match officials, seriously questions the future of the game

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content 

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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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Below, we look at five players who across the day who failed to perform for their respected nation.

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."

Rugby Pass 0/10: "It might seem harsh to put too much emphasis on his 70th minute yellow card – for a deliberate knock-on in his own 22 as English backs formed on his outside – but that was his most significant contribution. The result was England taking the lead for the first time. If that’s not a score of 0 then  one doesn’t exist."

Wales Online 3/10: "His yellow card for a deliberate knock-on meant Wales played the final 10 minutes with 14 men."

Telegraph 5/10: "Struggled to match the heights of last week, losing the ball in contact deep inside the Welsh 22 before conceding a penalty and yellow card for killing a maul."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "A great debut last week but not so good this time around. The yellow card was needless as all he had to do was hold them up as he had got onto the ball."

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Struggled to provide any strike force through midfield. Also guilty for giving the ball away after a 24 phase move when he recklessly chucked an off-load from the ground. Worse perhaps was the custard-soft penalty he gave away when Adams kicked from his own in-goal area to gift England three points."

Telegraph 5/10: "The challenge is to involve him more as a ball carrier. His disjointed midfield partnership with North epitomised Wales’ lack of clarity in attack."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "He was baffled by his yellow card but really shouldn’t have been, as it was a clear-cut call. He was strong in the scrums and won a turnover. Outside of his card, it was a solid enough performance."

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Showed high game IQ to strip Ben White at the back of a maul with 3 minutes on the clock but it was all downhill from there for the La Rochelle man. Kept collapsing at the scrum and once again was sent to the sin-bin was a clumsy challenge. You can’t help but feel that the 145kg prop is a yellow or red card waiting to happen every time he takes to the pitch."