Eddie Jones, the Saracens director of rugby, has called for a new system of allocating referees following two brutal battles with Bayonne in the European Challenge Cup.

As the second tier tournament in Europe - behind the Heineken Cup - the Challenge Cup does not attract the elite officials which can create problems when teams like Bayonne rough up the opposition.

Although five yellow cards were issued by Scotland's Neil Paterson during Sarries 36-0 home win over Bayonne on Sunday - which followed an ill-disciplined clash between the clubs the previous weekend - the visitors failed to rein in their antics which included an alleged gouging incident involving Sarries prop Cencus Johnston.

Jones said: "A match like that doesn't help the Cup competition and they are a throw back to the past when things were a bit more ugly.

"All we can do is submit our report about the refereeing of the match and wait to see if the organisers take a look at what we talk about. One of the problems is that you need someone to oversee the appointment of referees for matches so that they can take into account any potential problems and select an appropriate official.

"Cencus Johnston has more marks around the eye area to add to the ones he picked up in the first game. No one wants to see that kind of incident."