Wales try leads to swift law change

In the wake of George North’s controversial try against England, World Rugby has made an immediate law amendment to stipulate that a match will not be able to restart until a player leaving the field for a blood injury or a head injury assessment has been replaced.

North scored in Wales’s 13-6 win on Sunday after Dan Biggar took a penalty as England were waiting to replace Willi Heinz. Referee Pascal Gauzere, who had just sent England wing Anthony Watson to the sinbin, allowed Biggar to strike a cross-field kick to Josh Adams while Heinz was making his way to the changing room and Ben Youngs was waiting on the touchline. That left England with just 13 players.

On the following phase, Biggar struck another cross-field kick to North, who collected to score his 40th test try in the 34th minute. Biggar converted and the seven points eventually proved decisive in securing a win that sent Wales to the top of the world rankings. Youngs seemed surprised that Wales were able to play on.

“Being down to 13 men is never ideal,” he said on The Independent. Ant [Watson] came off and then the boys are in a huddle. Then Willi [Heinz] has come off and I’m waiting to be given the green light to go on.

A statement from World Rugby on Wednesday read: “The amendment codifies an area that was previously at the discretion of the referee.

“It has the dual intention of promoting player welfare best practice, while also ensuring that teams are not disadvantaged by playing with fewer players.”

The Telegraph, London