England boss Steve Borthwick called on World Rugby to step in following his side’s Six Nations defeat in Paris

Genge (1) was sent to the sin bin for collapsing a French attacking maul(Image: ITV)

Former Test referee Owen Doyle has called two incidents in France’s Six Nations title-deciding win over England into question, admitting that Steve Borthwick’s side can feel aggrieved that at least one crucial decision went against them.

The 2026 championship came to a suitably dramatic end in Paris on Sunday night, as Les Bleus defended the tournament crown with an extraordinary 48-46 victory at the Stade de France. A sensational game saw a total of 13 tries scored in a truly end-to-end contest, with Thomas Ramos sealing the title with the last kick of the game.

While England fronted up well after suffering embarrassing defeats to Scotland, Ireland and Italy earlier in the championship, their game management in the final minutes has been questioned, with Henry Pollock criticised for a “brainfart” moment in the dying seconds before his side watched their narrow lead crumble through Ramos’ last-gasp penalty.

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However, questions have also been asked over some of the refereeing decisions made towards the end of the match, with Borthwick calling for World Rugby to step in and provide an explanation over one call in particular.

The England boss was less than pleased after a penalty advantage for his side was changed to a knock-on advantage moments before Louis Bielle-Biarrey broke away for his fourth try of the match, claiming that it had sparked confusion and changed the team’s approach to the phase of play.

“We’ve been told on the pitch it was a penalty advantage,” he said. “And I know probably some people at home probably are looking at why we played the way we did, and it should be explained that the players on the pitch were told it was a penalty advantage.

“So they played in a certain manner that knowing you had a penalty to go back to. Unfortunately, what happened in the background is the TMO would change it to a knock-on advantage. The players were unaware of it and France go down the other end and score a try.

“I think that World Rugby needs to look at that kind of situation,” Borthwick added. “You can’t have the players playing with certain knowledge and then it taken away from them. Knowing that, I think some of those bits I find confusing.”

The England head coach’s words have now been echoed by former international referee Doyle, who agreed that an explanation was due, suggesting that the change of decision went against protocol.

“There was confusion for England when a penalty advantage was changed to a knock-on advantage (apparently called during the play by the TMO), prior to France breaking out for Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s fourth try,” he wrote in his column for the Irish Times.

“An explanation is needed as to how that fits the TMO protocol.”

However, the Irishman went on to suggest that it was not the only decision that the full-time result hinged on, as he drew attention to the circumstances surrounding France’s penalty try, which was awarded by referee Nika Amashukeli on the stroke of half-time.

England prop Ellis Genge was sent to the sin-bin for collapsing the French attacking maul, a decision that Doyle says was “correct… in isolation”. However, the former referee adds that there is “a broader picture” that was missed by the officials.

“It shows the French jumper being shielded by team-mates as he lands and the maul starts to move forward,” he explained.

“That, for me, was the first offence — a penalty to England for obstruction was due. It is tricky enough to see at ground level, while the TMO has a bird’s eye view, but, on this occasion, Brett Conran did not seem to offer any concrete advice.

“There is a school of thought that a penalty try accompanied by a yellow card is a double whammy, and unnecessarily harsh,” Doyle added. “But it exists to stop players attempting to get away with an infringement, knowing that the bin awaits if they are caught.

“Steve Borthwick was distinctly unamused on this one, and he has a point.”

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