Five-a-side format gets OK

World Rugby has reportedly given its approval to a new shortened version of the sport, which will be played indoors. Rugby X is a five-a-side version of rugby that former England and Fiji sevens coach Ben Ryan helped develop. The games last 10 minutes, with no halftime break taking place, and are played indoors on artificial grass pitches. The rules of the sport are slightly different to sevens, with uncontested three-person scrums, throw ins from substitute players and restarts from the tryline introduced in an attempt to speed up the game even more. Australian surf queen Stephanie Gilmore insists retirement plans aren’t on her mind. In November, she emulated countrywoman Layne Beachley’s record haul of seven women’s world tour titles. Gilmore said the record-equalling accomplishment had finally sunk in and she remained hungry for more success, dismissing any talk of retiring.