we explain to you why the referee did not award the Scottish try which would have cost France the victory

Despite their victory (16-20), the Blues came very close to defeat on Saturday in Scotland. But after more than four minutes of waiting, the referee, Nic Berry, did not validate the try which could have given victory to the XV du Chardon.

Everything could have collapsed for the Blues. After another ball lost in their 22 meters, the French suffered a final Scottish action in front of their in-goal, concluded by a charge from Sam Skinner in the in-goal (80th + 1). After 4 minutes 40 of hesitation and checking the video, referee Nic Berry decided to refuse the try, offering victory to the French XV at Murrayfield (20-16), Saturday February 10.

The decision caused talk, while the Scottish third row seemed to have flattened. But a doubt remained. “At all costs, the video referee must have a clear and obvious image”, enlightens for franceinfo: sport Laurent Cardona, ex-Top 14 referee. A breakdown of the action is necessary. Once he entered the goal, Skinner flattened on the foot of Yoram Moefana. There was then no question of granting the trial. But subsequently, the Scottish third line freed itself from this obstacle.

On the importance of the “field decision”

Problem, at the same time, Posolo Tuilagi’s arm came in front of the camera, obstructing the video referee’s vision. “OWe can 90% think that the ball hits the ground, but we cannot exclude that something else, like Tuilagi’s hand prevents itjustifies Laurent Cardona. “I can’t say for sure, I don’t have clear enough vision”indicated, live, the video referee Brian MacNeice to the main referee, Nic Berry.

In these conditions, you must refer to the “field decision”, i.e. what the referee orders directly. In this case, as proven by the images and words of the referee translated live using the velotyping set up by France Télévisions, his first decision is that there is “no try”. For the trial to be granted, an image would have had to show “clearly and obviously” the flattened ball… or that Nic Berry’s “first instance” judgment was to grant the try.

The fact of seeing, on two different shots, that Skinner has crossed the line and that the ball seems flattened, does not constitute validation either: all the elements must be brought together in one and the same image. “We cannot make a cause and effect link between the images, because we are not in factually certain”explains Laurent Cardona.

A logical decision that frustrates the Scots

In this context, the refusal of the test seems logical, even if it is difficult to digest for the Scots. You had to hear the roars of the Murrayfield public when each slow motion was broadcast on the giant screen, or the distress of Finn Russell after the verdict to be convinced. “When we look at the screen, we think it’s good”illustrated captain Rory Darge at a press conference.