PDV meets Paddy before Ireland

Peter de Villiers: Concerned

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Peter de Villiers will meet IRB referee chief Paddy O'Brien before South Africa's clash with Ireland to address his scrum concerns.

De Villiers has previously been publicly furious at not having been granted such a meeting before, but was allowed one this time after Graham Henry also was granted audience last week - ironically in a week where O'Brien himself was outspoken about one of the Test referees.

It is understood South African technical assistant Peter Maimane brought video clips about refereeing issues that have perplexed the team over the last couple of years, including some problems at scrum-time against Saracens and France where the team was continually being penalised for either hitting too early or staying bound too long.

It is thought that northern hemisphere referees are causing De Villiers the biggest headaches and that he is seeking to redress any outstanding issues before his team comes under the auspices of Nigel Owens on Saturday against Ireland at Croke Park.

The Irish have confirmed they will meet with Owens on Friday before the game - which is the norm with international matches - while under IRB direction, any team can request a meeting with O'Brien at any time. De Villiers' complaints about his supposed refusal for a meeting could make this meeting a touch uncomfortable.

But it will also be crucial in a month where the scrum, the inordinate amount of time wasted on resets and the vaguaries of when, where and what for a penalty can be given have been firmly under the IRB's spotlight.

"The IRB's High Performance Referees have agreed to be extra vigilant regarding the area of scrum resets and associated infringements at the elite level of the game where the issue is more prominent," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"The referees have been reminded of their obligation to penalise clear and obvious offences. Particular attention will be focused on front rows adhering to the engagement sequence, observation of the mark and the correct binding techniques."