These are the rugby headlines for Friday 24th November.

Raynal hit World Rugby with ‘error’

World Cup referee Mathieu Reynal has criticized World Rugby’s decision to introduce a TMO bunker at this year’s tournament, calling it a “mistake”.

Rugby’s governing body has introduced a new bunkering system that will see referees refer cases that reach the yellow card threshold to a second off-field TMO to determine whether further punishment is necessary during this summer’s Rugby Championship and the warm-up before sanctioning its use for the World Cup. Cup.

But the tournament was marred by a series of controversial refereeing decisions, with English official Wayne Barnes even making death threats after officiating the final. Bunker has proven controversial, with critics, including Welsh refereeing legend Nigel Owens, arguing that he interferes too much in the game and that referees rely too much on him.

Reynal has already expressed his opinion and criticized the new functionality for its lack of transparency, claiming that he would prefer to address the media after the games to clarify any mistakes made.

“I think it was probably a mistake to install the bunker at the last minute before the World Cup, without practicing it and using it more,” Reynal said after being named France’s best referee at the French Rugby Awards. “It was a mistake. It was also difficult because you send a situation to the bunker, they come back with a decision and you can’t explain to the world why you made that decision.

“Before this, we could write words on footage and hold people’s hands and they would follow us to the final decision. It was interesting in terms of communication and explanation. Now, with the bunker, we broke that relationship with the people in front of the televisions or with the people in the stands, which was difficult.

The 42-year-old added: “I said this before the World Cup when we were discussing how we should speak to the press if there was a game-changing error. The way I see it, we have to keep things very simple: I go, sit in a chair and explain, “Okay, guys, I made a mistake. The game was so fast that I made a judgment error. No, I don’t regret it because my job is to be a referee and mistakes can happen, but I’m sad, but it is what it is. What do you want me to do? I’m not going to jump off the roof of a building because I made a mistake on the field, that’s the life of referees.

“I hope we keep the relationship between coaches, referees, players and fans as simple as possible. It’s easier when you tell the fans, “Yes, I made a mistake.” What can we do after this?

The BBC has dealt another blow to the Six Nations

The BBC has suffered another blow in its bid to maintain Six Nations coverage as the UK government rejected calls to protect competition in pay television.

After TV bosses warned a select committee that the broadcaster might not be able to continue covering the tournament on its channels amid rising costs and falling revenues, MPs urged ministers to add championships to the call “ Crown”. A list of gems that protects certain events from being taken down.

While Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Grand National and even the men’s Rugby World Cup final are on the list, the Six Nations doesn’t have the same protection. And that is unlikely to change any time soon, as ministers have ignored calls to change its charter, reports the Telegraph.

Among those calling for the tournament to be protected was Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan, who told the Commons: “It is very right that this country supports the listing of major sports and our sporting heritage and culture with a listed events regime .

“But the Six Nations rugby tournament is not on that list. Most people would think so, but every few years it risks being removed from free-to-air TV and it’s back with us after our meeting with DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) Select this week.

“Isn’t it time the government added the Six Nations rugby tournament, which is a festival of friendship in these islands and Europe, to the listed events regime?”

The new setback comes after former BBC sporting director Barbara Slater told the Digital, Media and Sport Commission that the corporation was facing “incredibly difficult decisions” about whether to continue covering the annual championship on its channels, admitting that it was “probably We weren’t going to make the biggest bet” for the tournament.

Shidi clarified.

Welsh international Callum Sheedy has been cleared to represent Bristol Bears on Saturday despite failing to pass the HIA following a heavy knock in his side’s derby defeat to Bath last week.

The defender, who has been closely watched by Warren Gatland after an exciting start to the Premier League season, was dealt a blow when he was forced to retire on a HIA following a strong tackle from JJ van Velze late in the half. the game. contest. at the Recreation Ground, where Bristol lost 20-19.

It now turns out that Sheedy failed one HIA test but passed another after the game, and both tests were administered as part of standard protocols to prevent head injuries. Passing the second test means he will now be available for selection when Bristol face Saracens on Saturday.

“He went through the HIA process and was released today,” said coach Pat Lam. BristolLive. “He limited his participation during the week, but should be available for selection.”

Sheedy’s availability comes as a relief to Lam, who is missing several members of her team ahead of the trip to north London. They include Magnus Bradbury and New Zealand and Tongan international Steven Luatua, ruled out with shin injuries, while Samoan star Chris Vui deals with family matters.

“There is a lack of very big men in the team, but the same thing happens with other teams, the other players just need to step up and provide cover,” Lam added.

Sheedy is in contention for a place in the Six Nations as Warren Gatland enters the tournament without the retired Dan Biggar and Japan’s Gareth Anscombe as backup options. While Sam Costelow is the obvious candidate for the starting number 10 shirt, Sheedy is in contention as a replacement, while Kai Evans and Tomos Williams could replace him if necessary.

World Cup hero retires

One of the World Cup’s unlikely stars, Portuguese hooker Mike Tujer, retired just weeks after hanging up his boots following his side’s elimination from the tournament.

The 34-year-old appeared to have given up on rugby last month when his team recorded a historic 24-23 victory over Fiji in their final group stage match in Toulouse. After this victory, he said he could “die tomorrow” and added: “It will be a great day for me.” “I finished my career after this World Cup and to finish like this is incredible for me.”

But Tajer has now changed his mind and postponed his retirement plans to join his boyhood club Massey, who are struggling at the bottom of French rugby’s third division. This is reported by RugbyPass.

Despite playing in Portugal, he was born in Massa, a town south of Paris, and represented the club for seven years in two spells between 2007 and 2015. He then went on to represent clubs such as Grenoble, Brive, Clermont and Perpignan, winning 22 international matches with your country.

URC star leaves club in ‘six-figure deal’

Anthony Brown, Pennsylvania

Scottish winger Blair Kinghorn is preparing for a thrilling final home game as an Edinburgh player against Benetton on Friday after it was confirmed he will join Toulouse after next weekend’s trip to Ulster.

The 26-year-old, who has played for his hometown club since 2015, has already hinted that he intends to move to France when his contract expires next summer, but the Top 14 champions have agreed a severance package with him six digits. Scottish. The capital team managed to sign the defender in the middle of the season to replace Melvin Jaminet, who arrived in Toulon.

Kinghorn admits it will be “sad” to say goodbye to Edinburgh fans in their penultimate appearance (and final home game) against Benetton in the United Rugby Championship on Friday.

“It was a really difficult decision,” Kinghorn told the Edinburgh website. “I have called this place my home for nine years and I am very committed to this club. He gave me everything I had in my career and was the start of my journey into professional rugby. I feel like they really brought out the best in me.

“Joining Toulouse is an opportunity presented to me and I think it will be good for me as a person, for the development of my career and my game. “It’s a big decision, but I think it’s the right step for me.” I’m very grateful to Edinburgh for seeing this as a great opportunity to grow personally and as a rugby player, but it will still be a sad day.

“It was a special trip that I really enjoyed and I can’t wait to race there again this Friday night. It will be very difficult to leave, it will be sad to say goodbye, but I will leave very grateful for everything that is here.”