The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will not refund tickets for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash between England and Italy at Twickenham despite England coach Eddie Jones telling fans to demand their money back.
During the game, Italy deployed unorthodox – but not illegal – tactics by refusing to form rucks. Italian scrumhalf Eduordo Gori led a concerted attempt to disrupt English possession by refusing to commit to the breakdown. It was a tactic that meant the ruck, or supposed ruck, was never formed, and thus an offside line was not formed.
England coach Jones was critical of Italy’s strategy and in a post-match interview encouraged fans to petitions for their money to be returned by the RFU. He added that if such tactics became commonplace, he would retire.
However, the governing body said it would not be making any complaint or representation to World Rugby with regard to the law or its interpretation.
Following the 36-15 win over Italy, Jones also criticised referee Romain Poite for his approach towards the game. However, World Rugby has backed the official, stating that the “match official team handled the game well,” Sky Sports reports.
The sport’s governing body will continue to look at breakdown rules, although not in any specific review based on Sunday’s match.
World Rugby told Sky Sports: “World Rugby (through the Laws Review Group) is constantly reviewing the laws of the game and, as previously announced, some work has been done on the breakdown with various options having been trialled in certain competitions around the world.”
Jones’ complaint comes just weeks after the RFU was criticised for raising ticket prices before the start of this year’s Six Nations competition.
Image: Diliff
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