One of the main talking points in the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup was the over reliance on television match officials. World Rugby, the games governing body have clarified when the TMO may be used.

In a statement released last night by World Rugby, they state that the TMO can only be used in the following circumstances:

• Determining the grounding of the ball in-goal for a try or touchdown and/or whether players were in touch or touch in goal before grounding
• Determining whether a kick at goal has been successful
• Confirm if an infringement has occurred in the build-up to a try or prevention of a try (infringement must be within two phases of the try or touchdown)
• Considering acts of possible foul play

Hopefully as the tournament continues, the TMO will be used to a lesser extent and the games will be able to flow at a quicker pace.