Bristol boss Pat Lam has claimed that Exeter are taking advantage of referees not properly interpreting line-out rules after their defeat. The Chiefs recorded a 14-9 win on Saturday in what was a scrappy affair at Sandy Park.
Lam was left disappointed after Sean Lonsdale’s winning try, claiming it should not have stood as Exeter’s back joined the maul after a line-out.
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Bristol had been in the lead after Ian Madigan’s three penalties but it was Exeter that left with the points as they moved four points clear of Saracens.
Speaking after the defeat, Lam told BBC Radio Bristol: “As soon as the ball’s thrown, their midfield backs come running forward, which they have all rights to do in the law.
“But if the ball doesn’t go 15 metres and is brought down, and a maul is formed, they have to retreat 10 metres back, not hang around one, two or three metres and come in.
“It’s what happened at our ground, which is why I was annoyed about it. They did it against Saracens, they did it against Saints. They have to go back 10 metres and they can’t join until the line-out is over.
“I’m not saying there’s any issue with Exeter, but the referees have to know their law-book and they have to understand. “I have no problem if you want to maul from five metres, but you have to do it by the letter of the law.”
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