Rugby introduces three new laws and tests six more

The changes are unlikely to end the three laws introduced from July 1, given that several new trials have been announced. Twenty-minute red cards, whereby the offending player can be replaced after that period rather than being permanently excluded and which have been promoted by Super Rugby competitions in recent years, are part of a set of six’ closed law trials’ to be used in World Rugby Competitions, including the U20 World Championship, over the next year.

There will also be a trial of automatic bans for certain offenses in a concerted move by World Rugby to streamline the disciplinary process and avoid the confusion and inconsistency that has plagued the game in recent years.

The 20-minute red cards will be offset by a revised on- and off-field sanctioning process with suspensions attached to the infractions. Mitigation days for good conduct at hearings or a previously clean record could disappear.

Foul play, where a player has “attempted to affect a legal rugby action” will result in a two-week suspension. Aggravated foul play, which involves “highly reckless” actions such as bent arms, shoulder charges and spear tackles, will result in four-week suspensions. The mitigation will only come into force if there is an appeal.

Teams in the U20 World Championship and other World Rugby competitions such as the Pacific Nations Cup and WXV will have 30 seconds to establish scrums and line-outs. The cast time for a conversion will be reduced from 90 seconds to 60.

Protection for scrum-half will be added at the bases of scrums, rucks and mauls, with the offside line for defending scrum-half moved towards the center of the scrum.

Players will be able to mark the ball inside their own 22 from a restart, which was introduced to encourage short restarts and discourage caterpillar rucks, which teams often use to clear the ball up the field. Finally, mauls can only be stopped once before the ball has to be played and, if line-outs are not contested, then throws cannot be considered “not straight”.

“The changes will increase the entertainment factor of rugby”

The testing laws announced this week were discussed at the Shape of the Game conference in February and the results will be presented to the World Rugby Council in November. From there, they could spread more widely. They could be implemented in previous competitions if the participating unions decide to introduce them.

“I would like to thank my colleagues around the world for embracing the spirit of this comprehensive review of rugby’s entertainment factor,” said World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont. “With calendar certainty, including new competitions and all men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups set to 2033, our main events are defined and our content established.

“There is unprecedented long-term certainty, and this work is vital to ensuring that the product on the field is commensurate with the opportunities we have in front of us, a great sport that is fun to play and watch and that helps attract new talents. generation to dedicate themselves to rugby.

“Personally, I think the amendments to the law and the set of closed-door trials will increase the entertainment factor. As with all tests, we will thoroughly review its effectiveness and receive feedback from throughout the game. “The revised red card sanctioning process is an example of this, and it is important that we test, evaluate and make definitive decisions based on data and feedback.”

Among other areas World Rugby monitors is the height of elite game tackles, which has been reduced to lower levels around the world, and the number of replacements allowed in a given game.