ELV’s trial World Wide from 1 August 2008
Rugby union’s controversial new law changes will be trialled globally from grassroots to Test level for 12 months from 1 August. Thirteen of the 23 Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) in use in the southern hemisphere will be introduced. Some other ELVs will be trialled in an unnamed northern hemisphere event. A further seven ELVs have been referred back to the International Rugby Board’s laws group for more analysis.
Players will now be able to defend a maul by pulling it down and there will be no restriction on the number of players in a lineout.
Those to be trialled worldwide include:
Players can defend a maul by pulling it down. (We consider this to be a very dangerous change if a maul has started to move forward with pace)
Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum.
No restriction on the number of players who can participate in the lineout from either side (minimum of two).
The receiver in a lineout must stand two metres back from the lineout.
Flags are no longer considered to be in touch in-goal except when a ball is grounded against the post.
Further ELVs to be trialled in an elite northern hemisphere competition, expected to be the European Challenge Cup, include:
For all offences other than offside, not entering through the gate, and Law 10 - Foul Play, the sanction is a free kick.
If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown, the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a free kick.
If a maul becomes unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul receives a free kick.
(We think these laws which may be ok for professional players will speed the game up too much for the majority of teams)