The advent of the kicking tee in rugby has helped place-kickers to scale new heights, literally from kick-offs and restarts. The low scud place-kick which clambered off the bar appears to be a thing of the past. For one club the fact that their outhalf, Frenchmen Ludovic Mercier, has reached new heights proved a costly experience.

Gloucester have had to add an extra 15 metres onto their posts at Kingsholm because Mercier kicks the ball so high. Last week he had at least two kicks disallowed because the touch judges weren't sure if the flight path of the ball had actually taken it through the posts.