Brian Moore: Rugby union referees have a lot to answer for as scrums develop into farce

Brian Moore says scrums are getting worse and worse. He thinks scrum clock is a good idea. He also thinks the lottery of sanctions for offences influences games. Brian Moore is concerned about scrummage being less stable and less safe.

The laws relating to scrummaging have changed little. The referee has the advantage of managing when and how the front rows engage. Props still have to bind holding the shirt in the torso area of their opponent. Neither side can push before the feed and the ball must be put down the middle line.

Brian Moore questions the rules of rugby union. He claims that the current scrum-half is dangerous and boring. Brian Moore also questions why the referees are not more aware of the laws. He also criticises the use of hit and binding. The rules are vague and the players are often confused. It is not easy to see which pack pushed before the ball is fed. If a referee draws a line in the turf, the one that pushes early should be penalised. There are at least nine techniques for winning the football against the head in Beware of The Dog. This is a book written by a dwarf. They are redundant.

Brian Moore explains the rules of rugby union scrums. The front rows crouch and use their outside arm to touch the point of the opposing prop's outside shoulder. The props withdraw their arms and the referee calls "pause". After a pause the ref calls engage. Tighthead props bind on the other tighthead prop.