RUGBY UNION: New laws for all

8:59pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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All Oxfordshire clubs will have to get to grips with 13 experimental law variations (ELVs) that are being used in the northern hemisphere this season.

The rule changes, which are being trialled by the International Rugby Board (IRB) are designed to promote attacking play and make the sport more attractive.

They have already been used in the southern hemispshere, where they received a mixed response.

Here is a summary of the ELVs Oxon players will need to get used to.

• Assistant referees (qualified touch judges) can assist the referee in any way he desires.

• Players no longer need to keeps their heads and shoulders above their hips in a maul.

• Players can defend a maul by pulling it down.

• If the ball is played or run back into the 22 and kicked straight out, the lineout will be from where the ball was kicked rather than where it lands.

• Quick lineout throws can go backwards proving they travel five metres.

• No restriction on numbers at the lineout.

• Player receiving knock back at a lineout must be two metres away.

• Opposition hooker at lineout must be two metres from five-metre line.

• Lineout players may grip jumper before ball thrown in.

• Lineout players must wait until ball thrown in before lifting jumper.

• Off-side line now five metres behind hindmost feet of scrum.

• Referee to identify scrum half off-side lines at scrum.

• Corner flags no longer considered in touch if hit by a try-scoring player, except when ball is grounded against them.