World Rugby unveils five-point plan to improve the game
World Rugby has vowed to improve the pace of the game with five initiatives which include speeding up the calls of “use it” at scrum time and giving halfbacks greater space and protection.
The moves follow the conclusion of the 2024 Shape of the Game forum held in London, with the recommendations made “to reimagine the spectacle and grow rugby’s share of attention within an increasingly competitive global sports and entertainment market”.
Playing, coaching, officiating, competitions and fan experts representing five specialist committees (men’s and women’s high performance, professional game, professional leagues and community rugby) were all part of the initiatives, with the forum this year focusing long term instead of on short-term advancements, as was the case in the past.
The timing of the new procedures is
pertinent following comments made by Wales head coach Warren Gatland after last weekend’s defeat to Ireland regarding the amount of ball in play time and the way the game was officiated.
Gatland said at the time: “I was disappointed with that first half. It was difficult to get momentum. I think it was only 13 minutes ball-in-play time. When we talk about the laws of the game, trying to be positive and make it more attractive for the fans. I’m not sure the players of both teams were responsible for the amount of stoppages in that first half.”
The removal of repeated scrum options, while speeding up the game, is likely to draw opposition from those concerned about the set-piece’s importance in the modern game.
Reviewing the offside law for kicks has also been a hot topic – often referred to as Dupont’s Law after the France halfback Antoine Dupont exploited it; receiving players need to run the ball only five metres before the previously offside attackers are allowed to approach and then tackle them. It featured heavily in the latter stages of France’s win over Scotland.
Shot clock timers were introduced by World Rugby at the end of 2022 and used at Rugby World Cups for the first time last year, with Owen Farrell one of its first victims after his time expired while preparing to take a kick against Samoa.
‘Croc roll’ injuries have also been an important issue among elite players for some time, with England flanker Jack Willis suffering a serious injury against Italy in 2021 which kept him out of any involvement with England for more than a year.