 Howard played in the Super 12 for the ACT Brumbies |
Leicester coach Pat Howard says the way the game is refereed in the Premiership is slowing the English game. Howard believes that too many players are getting involved in the breakdown and stopping teams getting quick ball.
"The Premiership would be more open and free if the games were refereed like Super 12," he told BBC Sport.
"There you get the first and second players competing at the breakdown, but here the third and fourth players are all competing for the ball."
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has claimed that the style of play in the Premiership has hindered England's development as a potent attacking force on the international stage.
But while Howard argues that Premiership games are far closer in intensity to Test level that Super 12, he says that unless referees act it will continue to be a more ponderous game.
"It comes down to the way the game is refereed over here - and the way the law is interpreted affects the way the game is played," he said.
"It means you get far slower ball and less attacking potential than you do in the Super 12."
MMIX
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