Why Scotland’s key late try was disallowed in France Six Nations loss
Scotland 16-20 France
Scotland fell to defeat against France after a last-minute try was disallowed in a key Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.
Lock Sam Skinner crossed the line in a chaotic pile of bodies, but Australian referee Nic Berry initially decided on-field the ball had not been grounded.
Yet TMO replays appeared to show the ball roll off a foot and touch the ground, but it was impossible to find a clear angle and conclusive evidence that this was the case.
As a result, despite at one point appearing as though the try would be awarded, TMO Brian MacNeice decided not to award the try.
Scotland were hoping to win their fifth home game in a row, but fell short after failing to take advantage of dominant phases in the match.
The Scots took the lead after just seven minutes, but a 31st-minute Gael Fickou try and an inspired late move from Louis Bielle-Biarrey meant they trailed in the dying minutes.
After the match, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said: “We were celebrating in the coaches box.
“We could hear the TMO’s conversation with the referee, saying ‘the ball was on foot then the ball was down’ and then he changes his mind and says ‘stick with the on-field decision’. I don’t know what you can say.
“From a coaching perspective, you’ve got to win the game and not put it in the hands of TMOs and referees and that is what we will work on.
“We were in control of the game and in control most of the way in tough conditions. We had to play a different way and I’m really disappointed we didn’t win the game. We felt we won the game – we saw the ball on the try line.”
Meanwhile, former World Cup-winning England captain Martin Johnson said: “I was glad I was not making the decision. Whatever you did there someone was going to be upset. Cruel for Scotland.”
Why Nic Berry disallowed Scotland’s late try against France
Former referee Nigel Owens said on BBC Sport: “When the referee gives an on-field decision, you have to have clear evidence to overturn that decision.
“It’s a very, very difficult decision to make. It all comes down to if the TMO has clear evidence.
“It looks like it’s probably on the ground, is there enough for him to say 100 per cent it is good? Probably not.
“So it’s one of those really, really tough ones. But the ball looks like it is on the ground. I think they will be debating this one for a long time.”
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton also added: “To be fair, I think that is a try. I am 95% sure that is a try, but can we say that is 100% a try? We couldn’t, so we have to stick with Nic Berry’s on-field decision.”
In short, the try was disallowed because the refereeing team could not be 100 per cent sure the ball was grounded, despite replays appearing to show it was.
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