World Rugby adds new trials to speed up game

Four law trials aimed at speeding up the game, reducing time-wasting and "enhancing the fan experience" will be introduced on a global trial across all competitions from 1 January, 2025, World Rugby said after its council approved the changes.

The four changes are:

• A 60-second conversion time limit to align with penalties and improve game pace. This will be managed by a shot clock where possible.
• A 30-second set-up for lineouts will match time for scrums to reduce downtime, to be managed on-field by the match officials.
• A play-on rule to be in place at uncontested lineouts when the throw is not straight.
• Scrum-halves to be protected from tackles during scrums, rucks, and mauls.

Proposals for a trial to call a mark inside the 22-metre line at kick off and restarts and for single stop mauls did not receive the required 75% support so will not proceed.

A decision was deferred on whether to adopt the 20-minute red card, with the experiment starting only in this November's internationals.

A revised Television Match Official (TMO) protocol trial was also approved, giving the TMO has additional power to identify clear and obvious infringements in the final attacking passage of play before scoring (knock-on, forward pass and in touch) and within the final two phases specifically (offside, maul obstruction and tackle complete). This is the process currently being trialed in the Autumn Internationals.

"During respective closed trials in the World Rugby U20 Championship and Trophy, WXV, Pacific Nations Cup, Rugby Championship and Autumn Nations Series, the laws, had a positive impact on the style, flow and entertainment value of the sport, decreasing stoppages, increasing ball in play, and promoting quick ball, while maintaining a contest," World Rugby said.