IRB announce major rule changes from 2008/9 season

The IRB issued the following press release today concerning a one year trial of the "ELVs" (Experimental Law Variations). These will apply to all rugby at all levels, unless otherwise stated, from 1st August 2008. Some of the changes are very significant and it is important that all players, coaches and officials are aware of the changes that will take place:

The International Rugby Board Council today announced that it had approved a global trial of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) for a 12 month period starting on August 1, 2008. The trial at all levels of the Game will involve 13 of the 23 ELVs that have been undergoing experimentation in approved tournaments around the world over the last two years.

"The Council's decision to implement a global trial of Experimental Law Variations represents an important milestone for the future of the Game. It vindicates the process that was adopted by Council in 2004 for future Law amendments. The Council congratulated the Law Project Group on its unprecedented work over the past two years," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"It was also agreed that the sanctions ELVs (reduction of sanctions to free kicks from penalty kicks where possible) that were not approved for global trials would be further trialled in a selected elite Northern Hemisphere competition in the 2008/09 season."

"The Southern Hemisphere will continue to play under the various ELV programme environments that exist in that part of the world at present. It would be unfair to change the playing environment under which countries in the south are currently playing in competitions such as the Super 14."

"Not one of the Council representatives was against the global implementation of an ELV programme of some description. Many of the ELVs received unanimous approval as they had clearly shown potential to be beneficial to the Game thus meriting a further trial at all levels around the world."

"The Laws Project Group had recommended a global trial of all of the ELVs but there were differing opinions between the Council Members on some of the ELVs in the area of the tackle and ruck, maul, sanctions and offside. The key point here was that the Members did not dismiss these ELVs outright but believed that further consideration and trials were necessary."

"This is particularly true of the sanctions ELVs which have not been trialled by senior Unions in the north but which have been received favourably by players and coaches that have played under them in the Southern Hemisphere."

"The Laws Project Group has been tasked to closely monitor the global trial with the assistance of its Member Unions. It will also work with the Senior Unions in the north to deliver and analyse the sanctions ELVs in an elite Northern Hemisphere Competition."

"In November 2009 Council will review all the ELVs that will undergo global trial, along with the sanctions ELVs that will undergo approved trials in specific competitions. Council will then decide at this meeting if all or any of the ELVs should be accepted into full Law," added Mr Lapasset.
ELVs to be trialled worldwide

Assistant Referees
Assistant Referees can assist referees in any manner required when appointed by a match organiser

Posts and flags around the field
The corner posts are no longer considered to be in touch in-goal except when a ball is grounded against the post

Lineout and throw
If a team puts the ball back into their own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch there is no gain of ground
A quick throw may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team's own goal line
There is 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 2 metres back from the lineout
The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball may stand in the area between the 5 metre line and touch line but must be 2 metres away from the lineout
Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in
The lifting of lineout jumpers is permitted

Maul
Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down
Remove reference in Law to heads and shoulders not to be lower than hips

Scrum
Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum
Scrum half offside lines (must be in close proximity to the scrum as present Law or must retreat five metres)

ELVs to be trialled in an elite Northern Hemisphere competition
Sanctions
For all offences other than offside, not entering through the gate, and Law 10 - Foul Play, the sanction is a Free Kick

Tackle and ruck
If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown, the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a Free Kick

Maul
If a maul becomes unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul receives a Free Kick

ELVs to be referred back to LPG for further analysis and possible experimentation
Lineout and throw
Incorrect throw (not straight) the sanction is a Free Kick

Tackle and ruck
Offside line occurs immediately at the tackle
Players who are on their feet can play the ball with their hands

There are two Penalty Kicks awarded at the tackle and ruck - offside and foul play
Reference to unfair play added to Law 15 (tackle: ball carrier brought to ground)

Offside
Players are only put onside after a tackle when they retreat past the tackle or the ball has moved five metres away from the tackle

Kick-off and restart kicks
Incorrect kick-offs and restart kicks result in a Free Kick for the opposition