Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Tuesday, April 18.
New TMO bunker system could be trialled in Test games before World Cup
A so-called television match official bunker system to review contentious on-field incidents could be trialled at Test level before the World Cup in France later this year. This season's ongoing Super Rugby Pacific tournament is trialling the innovation, and that will now extend to the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in South Africa this summer, World Rugby said.
World Rugby added that consideration will be given to furthering the trial in the Test arena ahead of the World Cup "if the trial is deemed successful and further adoption is supported by the elite rugby stakeholders, including importantly match officials, players, unions and competitions".
Clear and obvious red cards for foul play, including contact with the head, will receive a red card from the match referee resulting in the player being permanently removed from the game and unable to be replaced.
But for any incident where a red card is not obvious, a yellow card will be issued with the player being sent to the sin-bin while dedicated foul play reviewers in a central bunker look at the incident using all available technology and footage. Once 10 minutes has elapsed, the yellow card is either upheld and the player returns to the action, or it is upgraded and the player permanently leaves the field, unable to be replaced.
The idea of the initiative is to speed up the game by reducing the number of on-field replays of incidents, while also dealing with contentious decisions, such as the dismissal of England full-back Freddie Steward against Ireland during this season's Guinness Six Nations. Steward was controversially sent off for a dangerous challenge on Hugo Keenan during the March 18 encounter in Dublin, but the card was subsequently rescinded by a disciplinary panel.
England international number eight Zach Mercer experienced an identical disciplinary outcome after he was red-carded for a dangerous tackle during Montpellier's Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 defeat at Exeter earlier this month.
Owen aiming to finish injury-plagued season on high
Dragons centre Aneurin Owen says he is stronger for overcoming a challenging season disrupted by injury, and is bidding to finish the season on a high at Judgement Day.
Owen made a successful comeback as a second-half replacement in the recent defeat to Ulster at Kingspan, in what was only the fourth appearance of what has been an injury-ravaged campaign. The 22-year-old says he is now looking forward to taking on the Scarlets as part of Judgement Day this Saturday.
“It’s been a frustrating season," he said. "Getting back and then being injured again, I’ve wanted to work hard but it was setback after setback. It has been one of the most challenging things I’ve had to do in my career.
“I feel like I’m in a better place coming back from it, and it has made me appreciate the atmosphere in stadiums, being part of the squad. It’s nice to be back.
“Judgement Day is one you look forward to in the calendar and hopefully I can try and make it into the squad again. There is a lot of competition around the place - that is driving is all on.
“It’s another big game against a Scarlets side that are going well. They are still in the [European] cup and are on a good run. It’s a big challenge for us."
Genge could miss start of World Cup preparations
England prop Ellis Genge has been cited for a dangerous tackle during Bristol's Gallagher Premiership defeat against Sale Sharks.
Genge was yellow-carded following the incident, which happened during the second half of Bristol's 36-20 reversal at Ashton Gate on Friday. Referee Luke Pearce viewed television replays before sin-binning Genge, who had tackled Sale flanker and England team-mate Tom Curry.
"The case will be heard tomorrow evening (Tuesday 18 April) by an independent disciplinary panel chaired by Matthew Weaver KC sitting with Mitch Read and one other panel member to be confirmed," the Rugby Football Union said.
Bristol have two Premiership games left this season, at Exeter next weekend before hosting Gloucester on May 5. The Bears are out of play-off contention, but are still chasing Heineken Champions Cup qualification for next season.
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