WATCH: World Cup midweek training session - for the refs

The Rugby World Cup stretches over almost two months, putting severe physical demands on the participants.

And it’s not just the players - spare a thought for the poor officials.

World Rugby went behind the scenes to take in a training session for referees in Regent’s Park, London.

Covering an average of seven kilometres per game, the men with the whistles need to keep their fitness and conditioning up for the duration of the tournament.

Nigel Owens and the rest of the referees have access to physios, gym equipment and ice baths to keep them primed between matches.

“Our fitness levels are as high, if not higher, than some players,” Glen Jackson believes.

Given complaints about the amount of time it’s taking to get decisions made in matches so far, we wonder if they practice the signal for the TMO?

That's 30sec of my life I'll never get back 😂 #rwc commentator Funny but true, refs takin too long wid simple tries! #facepalm #toofunnytho

— BenJammin (@SavageF1J1) September 24, 2015