RUGBY referees appear to be having their decisions challenged more vociferously by players.

Sergio Parisse is a persistent offender and was banned last year for insulting an official but it hasn’t put him off; the Italian great conceded a penalty for Stade Francais last weekend for the way that he spoke to the man with the whistle.

And while footballers wave imaginary yellow cards, rugby players head to the referee doing the outline of a box with their fingers to plead for a TMO decision.

It’s not good to see and in rugby we don’t like to see the referee challenged in such a manner.

However, at times it seems that feeling is shared when it comes to those that challenge the authorities off the field; individuals that question the status quo are quickly labelled as trouble-makers.

We saw that when owners of English and French clubs dared to ponder whether the European competitions were really reaching their potential.

People like Bruce Craig and Nigel Wray, who have ploughed their money into Bath and Saracens, were swiftly painted as the evil, money-grabbing villains in some quarters.

And at times it seems that anything Mourad Boudjellal says is immediately dismissed as gibberish.

The Toulon president is undoubtedly flamboyant but ultimately he is an owner looking for value from his squad of stars and there is some merit in his recent complaint about having to pay his internationals while they are on Test duty.

Unions/IRB good, benefactors bad is often the default setting when the latter play a huge role is keeping professional rugby going and deserve to have their say.

ENGLAND have copped some flak this week for releasing a new jersey for the coming campaign given that another strip will be launched before next year’s World Cup.

The previous one was white with a rose on. The new one is white with a rose on. The next one will be white with a rose on.

But the RFU aren’t the only ones at it and Newport Gwent Dragons are among the many clubs that feel the need to bring out new kits every single season. Don’t complain, just save your cash.