Top referee Nigel Owens laments reliance on overused TMO

Rugby’s top referee Nigel Owens says too many decisions are referred to the TV Match Official and that the over-reliance on the system is starting to erode public confidence in the man in the middle.

Modern professional matches are routinely punctuated for rulings by the TMO on everything from the scoring of tries to foul play, offside in the build-up to a try and off the ball incidents.

Owens says he accepts the reasoning but revealed he feels the option was being overused.