World Rugby have ‘no plans’ to meet Scotland’s apology demands

Charles-Ollvion-and-Finn-Russell-during-the-Six-Nations-clash-between-Scotland-and-France

World Rugby have “no plans” to issue any public explanation following the controversial ending to the Six Nations clash between Scotland and France.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Scottish Rugby was seeking an admission of error from World Rugby that the officials reached the incorrect decision as Scotland were denied a match-winning try.

Scotland were trailing France 20-16 at the time and thought they had secured victory when replacement lock Sam Skinner pushed through and appeared to ground the ball on the line under a ruck of bodies as the clock ticked past the 80-minute mark.

Referee Nic Berry’s on-field decision was “no try”, and after several minutes of deliberation with TMO Brian MacNeice – who initially suggested he could see the ball on the ground – advised that there was “no conclusive evidence” to change the original call.

World Rugby remain mum

PA new agency understands that World Rugby has no plans to issue any public explanation regarding the decision.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Towsend, has liaised with World Rugby regarding the issues arising from the match, which is standard protocol, after he was left livid from the final decision.

The head coach spoke with referee Berry after the France match, and communication lines remain open between Scottish Rugby and the sport’s governing body.

World Rugby will, however, continue to refrain from publicly commenting on specific officials’ decisions despite the ferocity of the backlash and is not expected to issue any clarification on the continuous decision in the public domain.

Despite the ferocity of the backlash, World Rugby will be sticking to its stance of not commenting publicly on specific officials’ decisions and is not expected to issue any clarification to clear the situation up in the public domain.

Although there remains a deep sense of injustice among Scotland’s players, coaches and supporters, the furore surrounding Saturday’s pivotal last-gasp flashpoint appears to be subsiding.

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Craig Chalmers urges Scotland to use frustration

Former British & Irish Lions and Scotland fly-half Craig Chalmers believes that Townsend’s men must park their anger and focus on getting back up and running at home against England in round three of the Championship.

“It’s frustrating because Saturday was a game we should have won, but the players and coaches have to get over it now,” Chalmers told the PA news agency.

“There’s nothing they can do about it; it’s done. We’ve all been there before when things have gone against us, but you can’t change it.

“Some of these things you never get over, look at the 1991 World Cup. We all still wish Gavin Hastings kicked that (penalty in the 9-6 semi-final defeat by England). You probably remember these kinds of things more than some of the good things that happen.

“When you get beat like that, you want to get back playing, but it’s probably a good thing that they get a break this weekend and also a chance to look at the decisions they could have made better.

“I think we should have taken our points at times, especially at the end of the first half, just get the three points over the bar and keep the scoreboard ticking. Scotland were testing the French all the time but we just didn’t take our chances.”

The ex-fly-half was left baffled by the final decision in the match, though.

“I just don’t understand how the referee didn’t see it,” Chalmers said when speaking to promote Prostate Cancer UK’s Big Golf Race.

“The big mistake he made was saying on-field ‘no try’. Inside the stadium, it 95 per cent looked like a try to me. He should have got in closer to it and put his hands in and had a better look.”