Ten law changes to make game safer and more attractive

WITH past concussion injuries leading to law suits and even on field deaths, World Rugby faces an existential threat and major law changes are needed NOW.

* to make the game safer, faster, more aerobic, more fun to play and attractive to watch. * to encourage more players of all shapes and sizes to play. * to build on mini rugby success and retain players and spectators in the community game thus growing and expanding the pyramid of rugby to provide more professional players at the tip of the pyramid…and more spectators.

These suggested law changes have been prioritised after consultation with past and present club, international and British Lions players and coaches, with input from major rugby playing countries – UK, Europe, Australia and NZ.

These ten changes, some of which simply mean better policing of existing laws, can be easily and quickly made.

1. Maximum of three reserves on the bench – only as injury replacements.

2. Tackles waist high or below.

3 No double tackles.

4. No taking out players without the ball.

5. In the breakdown penalise players, other than the tackled player and first tackler, for going off their feet and for side entry.

6. Bring back rucking.

7. Stronger refereeing of offside with players five metres back from set pieces and rear feet of rucks.

8. Six points for a try, two points for penalties, drop-goals and conversions.

9. Scrum penalties only for foul play, otherwise a free kick restart. Revert to old scrum laws – front rows go down alone immediately, then second row, then back row and ball put in straight at once.

10. Ban lifting of players anywhere – especially fielding high kicks.

And no time wasting in taking penalty kicks, forming lineouts and scrums.