Former Test referee Nigel Owens has pushed back firmly against calls to weaken the scrum, warning that taking power out of the set-piece would damage the sport at every level.
The debate resurfaced after South Africa’s 24–13 victory over Ireland in Dublin, a match where the world champions dominated the scrum battle and forced a string of penalties, including a penalty try. Ireland also finished with four yellow cards and a red card for James Ryan after a dangerous clear-out on Malcolm Marx.
Matt Williams questions the modern scrum
Pundit Matt Williams argued that World Rugby should reduce the scrum’s impact, saying it has grown far more influential than originally intended.
Speaking on Off The Ball, Williams said the Springboks applied the laws with exceptional accuracy but suggested the current framework places huge pressure on referees.
“The scrum is meant to restart play. It was never designed to dominate the game,” Williams said.
“South Africa are the best in the world at using it, but yellow cards from scrummaging completely ruined the spectacle.”
Williams also questioned whether teams should be penalised simply for being driven backwards, calling for a rethink of how the scrum is officiated.
Owens fires back: “You may as well watch rugby league”
Owens, one of rugby’s most respected referees, issued a strong response on X, warning that further reducing the value of the scrum would strip the sport of one of its essential characteristics.
“Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes,” Owens wrote.
“Depower the scrum any more and you may as well watch a rugby league match. It will destroy the community game if there’s no place for your old-school prop.”
He added that continued attempts to modify the laws risk eroding rugby’s unique identity.
The wider debate isn’t going away
South Africa’s unmatched power at set-piece continues to fuel global debate about whether the scrum rewards skill and technique — or gives certain teams too much advantage.
For Owens, the answer remains clear: removing the scrum’s influence would not balance the game, but instead erase one of rugby’s defining features.
