On 14 November, the World Rugby Council approved the introduction of Global Law Trials for new competitions and leagues set to commence after 1 January 2025. In summary, these include:
- Quicker conversions
- A new set time to form a lineout (in line with 30 seconds at the scrum)
- Cleaner play away from the ruck/maul/scrum
- Not straight at uncontested lineout = play on
The following were not approved for progression:
- One stop maul
- Mark from a kickoff/restart
- 20 minute red card replacement – decision deferred to 2025
The following are the new law wordings which will come into effect on 1 January 2025. From that date, they will be reflected in World Rugby’s digital laws content. For the official press release click here.
Timings
Rationale: Shorter stoppages in play
Conversion reduced to 60 seconds
Law 8c. Takes the kick within 60 seconds (playing time) from the time the try was awarded, even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again.
8.8a deletion – consequential change
The kicker:
Clauses b, c, d then lettered a, b, c
Lineout formation time addition – 30 seconds
Law 18.12 Teams form the lineout within 30 seconds of a mark being made without delay
Sanction: Free-kick.
Cleaner play at set piece
Rationale: Protect the 9 to enable more ball in flow from the base of ruck, maul and scrum
Ruck: New 15.18
15.18: A player who is, or was part of the ruck may not play an opponent who is near it (within 1m), and who is attempting to play the ball away
Sanction: Penalty
(Current 15.18-19 renumbered)
Maul: New 16.18
16.18: A player who is, or was part of the maul may not play an opponent near it (within 1m), and who is attempting to play the ball away. Sanction: Penalty
Scrum: 9 stays at the tunnel.
19.30a Once play in the scrum begins, the scrum-half of the team is not in possession:
a. Takes up a position no further than the centre line of the tunnel.
Lineout not straight
Rationale: remove the unnecessary additional stoppage
18.23a Amend sanction if ball not thrown straight with no competition
18.23 The ball must:
a. be thrown in straight along the mark of touch towards a lineout player;
Sanction: If the non-throwing team does not lift a teammate to compete for the ball, then play shall continue. If the non-throwing team lift a teammate to compete for the ball, then they shall be offered the option of a lineout or scrum. If the lineout is chosen and the ball is again not thrown straight, a scrum is awarded to the team that originally threw in the ball.