England\u2019s bench has become one of their biggest weapons in recent seasons, with players like\u00a0Tom Curry\u00a0and\u00a0Henry Pollock\u00a0making significant impacts off the pine.<\/p>\n
But one of rugby\u2019s most respected figures believes the sport has gone too far.<\/p>\n
Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel <\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n Nigel Owens\u00a0calls for major change to substitutions<\/p>\n The former international referee was asked by\u00a0Ben John\u00a0on a recent episode what laws he would scrap if rugby union started again from scratch.<\/p>\n Owens didn\u2019t hesitate \u2014 his first target would be the bench.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first thing I do, I would reduce the amount of substitutions.<\/p>\n \u201cI think eight players on the bench is too much. So I\u2019d reduce that and change the way you can use them, so it can\u2019t be a tactical substitution.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can only be, as it used to be years ago, for an injured player. I think that would open the game up because you would have players then who would have to play 80 minutes and instead of carrying 130kgs they may have to carry 115kgs because they need to last 80 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a radical suggestion in the modern professional era, where benches \u2014 particularly forward-heavy splits \u2014 have become strategic weapons.<\/p>\n The rise of the \u201cBomb Squad\u201d<\/p>\n The trend toward loading benches with forwards has accelerated in recent years, with sides effectively fielding two packs across 80 minutes. The controversial 7\u20131 split has featured prominently in the\u00a0Six Nations Championship, most notably by France.<\/p>\n That approach has raised concerns within the game.<\/p>\n Scotland head coach\u00a0Gregor Townsend\u00a0previously admitted he has \u201cmisgivings\u201d about teams replacing entire forward units during matches.<\/p>\n Speaking ahead of facing France\u2019s 7\u20131 bench, Townsend said:<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want my view, I don\u2019t think the bench was set up to suddenly have a new forward pack coming on. But that\u2019s for World Rugby to decide what you do with the bench, and to make any changes.\u201d<\/p>\n Rugby World Cup 2027 Full Draw: England and Wales meet again<\/p>\n The expanded 24-team tournament will be played across Australia from\u00a01 October 2027, with six pools of four teams and a new round-of-16 knockout phase. With fixtures and venues now confirmed by\u00a0World Rugby, attention quickly turns to how each group will unfold.<\/p>\n Pool A \u2014 New Zealand, Australia (H), Chile, Hong Kong China<\/p>\n Group summary<\/p>\n Pool A features tournament hosts Australia and three-time champions New Zealand, making it one of the headline groups of the opening phase. Chile and Hong Kong China will be targeting historic results, while the trans-Tasman clash between Australia and New Zealand is expected to be one of the most watched pool matches of the tournament.<\/p>\n Fixtures<\/p>\n 1 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 Australia vs Hong Kong China 2 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 New Zealand vs Chile 9 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 New Zealand vs Australia 9 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 Chile vs Hong Kong China 15 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 New Zealand vs Hong Kong China 16 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 Australia vs Chile Pool B \u2014 South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania<\/p>\n Group summary<\/p>\n Defending champions South Africa headline Pool B and begin their campaign against Italy. Georgia continue to establish themselves as a consistent World Cup presence, while Romania return aiming to challenge for third place and possible qualification via rankings.<\/p>\n Fixtures<\/p>\n 3 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 South Africa vs Italy 3 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 Georgia vs Romania 10 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 South Africa vs Georgia 11 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 Italy vs Romania 17 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 Italy vs Georgia 17 October 2027\u00a0\u2014 South Africa vs Romania CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
Perth Stadium, Perth<\/p>\n
Perth Stadium, Perth<\/p>\n
Stadium Australia, Sydney<\/p>\n
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville<\/p>\n
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne<\/p>\n
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane<\/p>\n
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide<\/p>\n
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville<\/p>\n
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane<\/p>\n
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney<\/p>\n
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle<\/p>\n
Perth Stadium, Perth<\/p>\n