Optional changes to laws get 2022 go-ahead

WORLD Rugby are to allow more flexible laws in the community game from January 2022 in a bid to improve accessibility and welfare.

Individual unions will decide on which laws to tweak. Up to ten can be changed, including tackle height, pitch size and player numbers.

World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The community game is the heart and soul of our sport, it is the foundation upon which our house is built and today represents a landmark for rugby around the globe with the introduction of optional community law variations for our national member unions.”

From January 1 2022, national unions will be able to adopt flexible laws on:

Team numbers: Allowing teams to operate with between ten and 15 players as long as an agreement is reached before kick-off. Fixtures will still operate under 15-a-side rules.

Game length: Matches should be a minimum of 40 minutes but can be conducted in halves, quarters or thirds.

Replacements: Teams can use rolling substitutes and can also apply the ‘half game’ rule where all players must play at least half a match.

Scrums: Can be reduced in size based on the number of players competing for each team. Whether scrums are contested or uncontested is also flexible.

Lineouts: Teams may agree not to contest or lift in the lineout.

Kicking: Tweaks to rules can include penalties and free-kicks only being kicked to touch from inside a team’s own half, while all conversions being taken in front of the posts is also an option.

Pitch size: Pitch size can be adapted based on surface condition or the numbers on each team.

Ball size: Teams will be permitted to use a smaller ball.

Weight-based banding: In order to ensure rugby is “for all shapes and sizes” matches can be in weight bands.

Tackle height: Competitions may adjust the tackle height from “the line of the shoulders to the nipple line or waist”.