Champions Cup 25/26 - Semi Finals

[Demfad]

"An independent broadcast director is set to be in position for this month’s Champions Cup final between Leinster and Bordeaux Bèglesin Bilbao after disquiet about the lack of crucial replays available to match officials during Bath’s 38-26 semi-final defeat to the French defending champions on Sunday.

Johann van Graan, Bath’s head of rugby, suggested three high tackles on his number eight Alfie Barbeary were missed because the referee and television match official (TMO) had not been supplied with all the requisite angles by the French host broadcaster."

 

[TRF_Olyy]

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugb...referees-tv-replays-reviews-tackles-2mb07rw65
https://archive.ph/7eYCh

Thought that was interesting - after all discourse about TMOs/directors it turns out that it's accurate that the French directors are in charge of what the TMO has access too

Producers and broadcasters have explained to The Times that, essentially, there is a three-tier system for levels of production.
The first, used in France for European Cup matches, is “broadcast-led” — meaning the TV director, who on Sunday was working for the host broadcaster France TV, is responsible for finding clips. They have a live feed, plus one on a five-second delay, and can choose what incidents or what angles get sent to the television match official (TMO) for review.

The second tier of production is more stringent. In Gallagher Prem games broadcast by TNT, for example, production assistants called EVS operators sit next to the director, liaising with them and the referees over clips and replays.
They are often rugby literate experts, and have the technology to roll back, slow down and clip-up moments as and when needed. When it works well, rapid reviews are sent to the big screens at grounds, and quick refereeing decisions result.

The gold standard system is better still. At the World Cup, for instance, World Rugby employs Hawk-Eye as an independent supplier to help package replays, bolting it on to their in-house production. Those operatives watch from the international broadcast centre — in Paris for the 2023 men’s tournament, for example — akin to the VAR officials in Stockley Park for Premier League football.

Genuinely mad that they don't, at a minimum, do what the Prem does

 

[Saintjay]

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugb...referees-tv-replays-reviews-tackles-2mb07rw65
https://archive.ph/7eYCh

Thought that was interesting - after all discourse about TMOs/directors it turns out that it's accurate that the French directors are in charge of what the TMO has access too




Genuinely mad that they don't, at a minimum, do what the Prem does

The Ruck, The Times pod go into detail about it. Worth a listen for those interested.

Andy Goode and Squidge Rugby having a public spat is gold as well.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

First time Goode has been right about anything in his career?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

First time Goode has been right about anything in his career?

I gave his podcast a listen to see what he had to say. Nothing much to report but he had an interesting point on the TMO. URC use a hawk eye system that allows TMOs unlimited access to all cameras angles, the prem is more limited and France is at the disposal of the broadcast.

When the URC are leading at an infrastructure level, everyone should be able to catch up.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugb...referees-tv-replays-reviews-tackles-2mb07rw65
https://archive.ph/7eYCh

Thought that was interesting - after all discourse about TMOs/directors it turns out that it's accurate that the French directors are in charge of what the TMO has access too




Genuinely mad that they don't, at a minimum, do what the Prem does

Missed this post and it more or less says exactly what I did minus the URC but sure look, I like to be involved in anti-Squidge files.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

First time Goode has been right about anything in his career?

 

[Reiser99]

Why are we even having a conversation about impartiality in this day and age? The technology is there, it's ridiculous. If the rugby authorities want the focus to be on the games and not the refs/tmos then they should sort it out so there is no question.

 

[Demfad]

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugb...referees-tv-replays-reviews-tackles-2mb07rw65
https://archive.ph/7eYCh

Thought that was interesting - after all discourse about TMOs/directors it turns out that it's accurate that the French directors are in charge of what the TMO has access too




Genuinely mad that they don't, at a minimum, do what the Prem does

Caveat best team won, TV direction made no difference to score etc etc. but.........

France versus Ireland 6N 2025 Paris, French TV director.

• 1st Try, suspected forward pass to Bielle Biarray. Only head on replay shown. No side on view, so not determinable.
• 2nd try. Dupont fumbles at bottom of 5m scrum, 3 secs before try. Not noticable live but first replay showed it and was immediatly cut. Pictures resumed but with all clips now starting just after Dupont picks up AFTER the knock on!
• Ref asked the TMO for advice for last touch for a few unclear line outs. He got one replay (Ireland) touch. 2 other replays were not forthcoming (presumed French touch). One lead to the scrum for 2nd try.
• Usual big screen replays beneficial to the French team which the ref used for decisions (outside official review). No replays forthcoming otehrwise so unless ref, TMO saw it live then its not going to be seen.

Each match is a multi million money affair. Its 2026. Independent TV directors for all big matches please.

 

[AlRums]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c1e2zjnv69vo

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Dickson announced as ref for the final...

At least UBB will probably hate that appointment as much as Leinster.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Dickson announced as ref for the final...

At least UBB will probably hate that appointment as much as Leinster.

As much as every fan, he’s a poor ref.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Never known anyone fail upwards as much

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Thats ruined both finals