Leading English referee Wayne Barnes says that player safety is paramount for officials with the new Aviva Premiership season about to kick off.But Barnes admits aerial challenges involving players remains a testing area when it comes to the decision-making process.Challenges in the air is still one of the hardest decision-making areas for the referee because there is so much to take into consideration, Barnes said, during a Rugby Football Union laws media briefing on Thursday.We will be looking at all the factors that aggravate it.For example, does the player deliberately play a man in the air, which would obviously aggravate it? How did he land? Did he land heavily? Did he land from a height? Does he land on the head or shoulder?Also, and this has been a big push from the players, we have to take into consideration how quickly the game is happening.What we hope we will see this year is a bit more common sense and rugby decisions, so you might hear us explain our decisions a bit more over the ref mic so people know how weve got to a red card [decision], yellow card or a play-on.We want to protect players in vulnerable positions, and people in the air are obviously vulnerable. Player safety is paramount for us.Barnes was asked about perceived discrepancies in the reporting and punishing of players who make contact with the eye area of another player.New Zealand prop Owen Franks escaped sanction despite appearing to make contact with the eye area of Australia forward Kane Douglas during last Saturdays Rugby Championship clash in Wellington, with no citing made after the match.From my point of view, you have got to see all the angles. Thats really the key, added Barnes, in a general observation.If, as a referee, we see a player deliberately put his fingers in someones eye, we will deal with it, but I think we need to see all of the angles.If we do get something like that, we will stick it up on the screen and we will discuss that between the referee and the TMO [television match official].From a referee point of view, what we would say is we have all seen examples when it is clear, and I think the referees are consistent.A number of minor law amendments will come into effect during the new season, including a move to banish simulation issues such as players diving or feigning injury, plus any back-chat directed at officials.Additionally, a player who has been substituted could only previously return to the field as replacement for an injured front-row player, a player with a blood injury, or a player taking a head injury assessment, but he can now also take over from a player who has been injured as a result of foul play.And referees can also now play advantage following a collapsed scrum, provided there is no risk to player safety.Asked about player back-chat, Barnes said: I dont see it as a major issue. I just think it is something we need to be aware of.I dont think it is a massive part of our game, but we all want the game played in the right way.The Premiership campaign begins on Friday, when Gloucester tackle Leicester at Kingsholm and Newcastle host Sale Sharks. Mitchell Trubisky Jersey White . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Custom Chicago Bears Jersey . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. http://www.chicagobearsshoponline.com/mike-singletary-bears-jersey.html . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Khalil Mack Authentic Bears Jersey . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Chicago Bears Gale Sayers Jersey . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. Bomani Jones hosts live from the Clevelander in Miami and welcomes NFLPA Executive Director of External Affairs George Atallah (4:30 p.m. ET), ESPN NFL analyst Damien Woody (5:30) and host of GymCastic, The Gymnastics Podcast Jessica OBeirne (6:30) to the show.Twweet Bomani at twitter.ddddddddddddom/bomani_jones -- while hes live with you from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio and ESPNRadio.com. ' ' '