In the last couple of seasons we have seen Mr Cummins instruct referees to stand alongside the play the ball when the ball is being played near the try line, and with no guidance on which side to stand.

As a referee I was always trained to stand on the try line or behind the tryline and wherever possible stand on the blind side so the majority of play u s in front of you therefore easier to identify offside or other offences.

The new guidance puts the referee directly between the attacking and defending players.This has led to several problems most notably when Brent Webb and Ryan Bailey having to move the referee out of their line of defence. The following week Mr Silverwood was in the way again and collided with another player.

Last night Mr Bentham incurred a serious injury because of this silly policy and best wishes for his quick recovery.

Mr Cummins kets have some common sense and get the refs back on the try line or behind it !!

What is the logic behind Mr Cummings' new direction?

I guess it's so the ref is nearer the PTB but hasn't really got an eye on the defensive players being on/off side, also as we've seen this season, the ref is continually getting in the way.

Maybe with the injury to Bentham last night, Cummings will change his advice.

I've only watched it once but wasn't Bentham positioned behind the defensive line rather than at the side of the play the ball or in front of it?

Just another unfortunate collision which can and do occur fairly frequently, the referee can't just vanish in that situation.