Saracens boss blasts referees

Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter has launched a scathing attack on the refereeing of English rugby, saying that officiating at the key area of the breakdown has become a lottery.

Venter, speaking after his Premiership-leading Saracens were beaten 22-15 by Leicester on Saturday, said: "There is a problem and that is the game is determined by referees and not by teams.

"We have no idea what is going on. They've no idea what's going on out there.

"I am not accusing referees here of being dishonest but the confusion is almost total. I am trying to prepare teams but suddenly it seems pointless... you get a penalty, then they get a penalty."

Venter's comments will strike a chord with rugby fans up and down the country who have become increasingly bemused by the tackle and breakdown area.

So many offences are available to the referee that it is inevitable some will be picked up more than others by different officials.

The situation appears to have become so random that teams are opting for the safety-first option of kicking rather than running the risk of being penalised after taking the ball into a tackle.

"In the first half the penalty count was 9-3 to us. In the second half it was 10-4 to Leicester," said Venter.