The International Rugby Board on Wednesday ordered referees to be stricter on illegal behavior at tackles and rucks.
The IRB said match officials should be aware that players are increasingly falling on top of the ball to prevent opponents from carrying on with play and this should be penalized more often.
It also said referees should give equal treatment to both the attacking and defending teams in rucks, saying players on the ball-carrying team are often allowed to pick up the ball to form a maul. The defenders, meanwhile, are being told they can't handle the ball, the IRB said.
Referees were also urged to remind scrum halves they must feed the ball straight through the center of the tunnel at scrums, as the IRB said players are continually ignoring the rule.
