I think it has far more to do with than just refereeing, it's a factor yes but not the sole or primary reason English sides have struggled this year. Having watched a lot of Pro14 rugby and a little top14 the breakdown is a contest more often than it isn't, whereas from what I've read about the Prem and observed watching English sides in Europe they contend it far less, hoping one or two of their specialist jackles can win them a turnover only when the opportunity arises and that worked very well for Exe in particular when they were hammering us with a blitz defence. The problem with that is that if/when you start losing the battle at the gainline against sides who are used to having to protect ball at almost every breakdown you're going to stop winning turnovers, likewise in attack you'll have players hitting more rucks than their used to which will affect the system in place and cause unforced errors, I think we saw examples of both of this in Exe's and Leicester's games as well as Bath last week where the provinces and Toulon could build phases better, play the game at their pace and score some crucial points while the English sides made some frustrating and costly errors, Wasps probably adapted the best this weekend.
The styles in the Pro14 and Top14 vary a little bit more too, I think Premiership sides are all following the Jones model, maybe with the exception of Bath and Wasps who play a faster, wider game, where dominance is achieved up front and the backs are then used to wreak havoc. In the Pro14 you have sides like Munster, Treviso and Edinburgh who'll play like this, Scarlets, Glasgow, Ulster, Connacht and Zebre who employ some smart organised chaos, Leinster and Cheetahs who can do both and then some trash who can be used to get the kids up to pace. Right now I think the Pro14 and Top 14 a little bit more balanced and more innovative, I think the Italians this year is a testament to that as they slowly get places, whereas the Prem is a few different variations on the same formula for the most part which will lead to them struggling to adapt to different styles of play as much as they do a referee. It's probably a result of Sarries dominance and everyone trying to copy and better that. No league is left behind for long in any case, two seasons ago no Pro12 side progressed past the knockout stages and the media both home and abroad had you believe we were in crises and last year Clermont were the only French side worth mentioning while Toulouse and Toulon limped their way through weak groups, so if it's not addressed and fixed by January or March it will be next year and probably result in a more entertaining domestic league too.
