The new letter of the law – how rugby may change to beat threat of virus

THE SCRUM THE TACKLE

Major changes could be coming at scrums to limit the threat of coronavirus.

WORLD Rugby have revealed a list of law trials that could be implemented in order to fight the spread of coronavirus when rugby returns.

The temporary law trials remain optional, meaning unions can apply to implement one, none or all of the trials at elite and community level on a needs basis.

Whether or not unions entertain these law changes will largely depend on local government guidelines at the time when the sport does restart.

The trials relate to contact areas of the sport, including; the scrum, tackle, ruck and maul...

Identified as the first area to address is the scrum and four law trials are suggested here to help reduce contact.

First of all, if a scrum collapses and no infringement has occurred, a free-kick should be awarded to the team putting the ball in. It’s estimated this law change alone would result in a 30% transmission risk reduction.

The second states that hookers must use a ‘brake foot’ to improve scrum stability.

A third suggestion is for the scrum to be removed as an option when a penalty or free-kick is awarded. It’s thought this would result in a two-minute reduction of close-proximity playing time.

And finally, a goal-line drop out is to be awarded to the defending team when an attacker is held up in-goal or knocks on over the line. World Rugby once again claim this would see a two-minute reduction of close-proximity playing time.

An interesting suggestion here is the introduction of an orange card for a suspected red card high-tackle offence. This would see the player removed from the field while the TMO reviews the incident. If it is a red card, then the player does not return.

However, World Rugby state: “If [the incident is deemed a] yellow card or penalty only, the player returns after 15 minutes.”

It is hoped this law would encourage a change in behaviours, leading to players tackling lower as there is a higher risk of transmission during upright tackles.

World Rugby also suggest the removal of the choke tackle resulting in a gain for the defensive team. Under the new law, teams would be required to move away from the tackle area when ‘tackle’ is called and the ball must be presented.

Again, this is to reduce the number of upright tackles and, thus, reducing the risk of transmission.

THE RUCK

An initial suggestion at the ruck is to reduce the ‘use it’ time from five seconds to three seconds. It is predicted this law change, that will speed up the breakdown, will also reduce close-proximity contact time at the tackle/ruck by up to 25%.

Another alteration suggested is that there will be no scrum option if a team fails to adhere to the ‘use it’ call. A free-kick will be offered to the non-offending team.

THE MAUL

The first law change suggested states that no new player can join a maul if they were not already part of it when it formed. The rationale behind this trial states: “60% of lineout mauls have all eight forwards involved. Capping the number who can join, caps the proximity risk.”

And finally, a new law would state that only one forward movement is allowed at the maul. When it stops for the first time, the ball must be used, whereas currently teams get two forward movements.

Again, this is to combat the ‘close proximity time’.