Scrum, foul play, TMO - what can we expect from refs this autumn?

The number of tries in international rugby has rocketed from six to eight per match in the space of just two years as World Rugby looks to futureproof the game.It has laid out a vision of a safer and more continuous sport, but with a desire to "embrace the contest" around the breakdown and set-piece.As part of the manifesto, the sport's world governing body will ramp up fan engagement and has launched a study using biometric sensors to find out what excites and invigorates supporters during matches.Before the return of the Nations Championship, the top 24 international head coaches met with World Rugby officials outside London to discuss how the game will look over the coming month.According to World Rugby sources, the coaches highlighted a number of "grey areas"; for example the scrum and breakdown, deliberate knock-ons and foul play in the act of scoring.However, the coaches were said to be broadly supportive with the number of tries and the increase in ball-in-play time across the international game, which referee insiders attribute to an increase in speed and a consistent approach to the breakdown from officials and players.Other top referees believe there is now more fatigue in the game, with officials encouraged to form scrums and line-outs within 30 seconds - which has helped with space and scoring opportunities.As well as a rise in the number of tries scored, the number of penalties kicked has dropped from 3.5 in 2024 to 1.5 in 2026. The data was collected from all Nations Championship and Nations Cup games in 2024, 2025, and 2026.The day after the coaches summit, a wider group of World Rugby match officials met at a conference attended by BBC Sport. The refereeing of the scrum, foul play and the use of the Television Match Official (TMO) were all high on the agenda.The scrum presentation was led by former Scotland and Wales coach Jonathan Humphreys, while feted Wales and British and Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland was also in attendance in his capacity as a World Rugby advisor.Former Kiwi official Brendon Pickerill, who was part of the refereeing team for the 2023 World Cup semi-final, led on foul play and the role of the TMO.