World Rugby needs to simplify the game to take pressure off referees and not alienate people from the sport, according to Bernard Jackman.
The former Ireland international was speaking after a controversial conclusion to the Scotland and France clash on Saturday.
Les Bleus claimed a 20-16 win in Edinburgh to get their Six Nations campaign up and running, but only after referee Nic Berry and TMO Brian MacNeice spent several minutes deliberating over whether Scottish substitute Sam Skinner had grounded the ball on the tryline before deciding that it had been held up by the boot of French replacement Yoram Moefana.
MacNeice said there was not enough evidence to overturn the decision, though Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend voiced his displeasure after the game.
"The TMO was the one who changed his mind and said, 'stick with your on-field decision'. I don't understand the rationale," Townsend said.
"When you see the pictures, and when you also see the conversation, they have already said between them that the ball has been placed on the tryline."
Speaking on Morning Ireland, RTÉ rugby analyst Jackman says he has sympathy for match officials with a game that is needlessly complicated.
"We’re making it so hard for referees and TMOs," the former Leinster and Ireland hooker said.
"The next step for World Rugby is to simplify the game. We are talking about attracting new fans. Even people who have followed the game for a long time sometimes don’t understand the decisions.
"I understand the decision at the end of the game against Scotland because I felt the TMO Brian MacNeice had no choice but to not allow the try.
"He needs clear evidence. Once the referee said "on-field decision no try", he needed clear footage.
"That’s just how hard it is, even with TV footage from multiple angles, you don’t get that evidence you need to make a decision."
'It was smart by Dupont and everyone is copying it now, but it is an area that they (authorities) will have to change' - @bernardjackman explains the ‘Dupont law’ and its impact on the game #AgainstTheHead pic.twitter.com/pG4OYkCZOM
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 5, 2024
Jackman, who spoke recently of the 'Dupont law’ which he believes also needs to be addressed by authorities, is expecting changes to the laws.
"I would expect some clarification and modifications around the communication between referee and TMO to favour the attacking side as we come out of the Six Nations."
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