Middlesex Rugby
Experimental Law Variations
International Rugby Board Proposed ELVs
Late news Courtesy of Sky
1.Using the Links on our site
Click on the International Board link
on Useful links scroll down to
Find out more about ELVs
Click to see proposed changes, scroll to the bottom of the page and
Click link to hear the discussion in an IRB debate on the ELVs, led by Iain Robertson, with Richie Dickson, Steve Jones, and Greg Thomas
2. Click on our link to the RFU , Click Take me to the RFU home page,click on the rolling banner below the Rugby Football Union and have YOUR say on the proposals
3. For the avoidance of doubt The RFU The Welsh RFU The Irish RFU and probably Canada are against the introduction of some if not all the ELVs
Its our game Its your chance to comment. DO IT.
NB the site has been very busy so if you can’t get on at first be patient and try again
A 12-month global trial of the rugby union’s Experimental Law Variations will start on August 1.
The International Rugby Board approved the measure at their meeting in Dublin on Thursday, meaning 23 of the so-called ELVs currently being experimented within southern hemisphere tournaments such as the Super 14 will be introduced at all levels of the game.
These include players being able to defend a maul by pulling it down, no restriction on the number of players in a lineout and the introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet in a scrum.
Some ELVs are also to be trialled in an unnamed elite northern hemisphere competition next season – probably the European Challenge Cup – such as free-kicks, rather than penalties, being awarded for the vast majority of offences.
And a further seven ELVs have been referred back to the IRB’s laws group for more analysis.
The global trial has been earmarked for Test matches right down to grassroots level.
Lions tour included
England’s first Test match after August 1 is against the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham in November, while the ELVs are also set to be used during next year’s Lions tour of South Africa. Among those in opposition to them include the Rugby Football Union and all 12 Guinness Premiership clubs.
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The (IRB) 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 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.
Unanimous approval “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 (IRB) 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. “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.” 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 two 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 five-metre line and touchline, but must be two 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 (ALSO INCLUDES GLOBAL TRIALS)
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 REFERRED BACK TO LAWS PROJECT GROUP 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 warded 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.
