Rugby union will permanently incorporate five new laws—which have been on trial since last summer—from July 1, meaning rules like the 50:22 kick will be in effect as upcoming World Cups
Five new rules focused on improving player welfare are set to be written into law by World Rugby as of July 1.
The laws in question have been on trial in both hemispheres since August 2021, and a World Rugby Council voted unanimously in favour of the five being adopted. This means the set will be in full effect at the Women's World Cup in New Zealand later this year, as well as the men's equivalent at France 2023.
Among those laws cemented are the 50:22—rewarding the attacking team with a line-out if they kick from their own half into the enemy 22' (with at least one bounce in-field)—and the goal-line drop-out. The other trials deemed successful relate to the restriction of players pre-latching onto ball carriers, as well as tighter controls over clear-out height at the ruck and contact area.
"Rugby ’s laws are fundamental to its accessibility, appeal and safety," said World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont. "It is our mission to ensure that the laws are the best that they can be for everyone playing the game and the approval of these laws following detailed evaluation and widespread consultation, underscores that commitment.
“I would like to thank every player, coach and medic at every level for participating and providing feedback on this trial – your views are important to us and we will continue to consult with you as we work together to cement rugby as the most progressive sport on player welfare.”
Moreover, World Rugby has confirmed the scram brake foot will be moving from a closed to a global trial. This means the scrum safety method first trialled at the 2022 Six Nations will now be trialled in future competitions and tournaments, including the next two World Cups.
Which is your favourite of the new World Rugby laws? Let us know in the comments section.
The confirmation of these laws came following recommendations from World Rugby’s Laws Review Group and the High Performance Rugby Committee. Members of the public and figures from within the sport were also consulted, including players, coaches and match officials.
The news comes on the back of the announcement that England will host the 2025 edition of the Women's Rugby World Cup. That became official on the same day that Australia was confirmed as host for the men's tournament in 2027, as well as the following women's contest in 2029.
Taking over after that is the United States, having secured the hosting right for the 2031 and 2033 competitions. World Rugby added it will "continue to evaluate the impact of the new laws," with a key priority of improving player welfare and head injury prevention.
With the 50:22 law in place, if an attacking team kicks the ball from anywhere in their own half and it bounces inside the opposition's 22 before then bouncing into touch, the kicking team gets the throw at the resultant lineout.
World Rugby have announced that the Rugby World Cup will expand to 24 teams, while a new Nations Championship tournament is set to be launched. The change to the men's World Cup will come into effect from the next edition of the tournament in Australia in 2027, while the Nations Championship will begin in 2026.
Subject to Regulation 8.2, a Player may only play for the senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team, the next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team and the senior National Representative Sevens Team of the Union of the country with which the Player has a genuine, close, credible and established ...
The Rugby World Cup is a men's rugby union tournament contested every four years between the top international teams, the winners of which are recognised as the World champions of the sport.
Rugby's laws state that if a side loses two of its specialist frontrows due to first a contact injury and then a red card, they must forfeit an extra player beyond whoever was sent off, leaving only 13 on the park; Faiva's red card essentially cost Italy two bodies.
22: The area between the goal line and the 22-metre line, and between the touchlines. It includes the 22-metre line but not the goal line or the touchlines.
Rugby World Cup 2027 will be hosted between 1 October and 13 November. The tournament will be expanded from 20 to 24 teams. New reduced six-week (seven-weekend) Rugby World Cup window approved, supporting welfare, entertainment and value – pool phase reduced from five to four weeks.
The 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup is scheduled to be the eleventh edition of the Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's rugby union teams. It is scheduled to take place in Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027.
While rugby league failed to gain much headway in North America, the financial draw of professional American football proved too strong for some American rugby players. Rugby union would not become professional officially until the 1995.
Depends on the code - Union is the most popular In New Zealand & South Africa (southern hemisphere), though it's also widely played in the U.K (four home nations), Ireland & France. League's main countries are Australia, England and New Zealand.
New Zealand and South Africa are the most successful with three Rugby World Cup titles each, with Australia (two) and England (one) the only other teams to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
The United States will host the 2031 Rugby World Cup. The United States will be the first North American country to host the Rugby World Cup, and the first in either North or South America to do so.
The Six Nations Championship is the oldest rugby championship in the world, dating back to 1882. Originally held between the four United Kingdom countries England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, France joined in 1910 and Italy joined in 2000.
If the team in possession kicks the ball from inside their own half indirectly into touch inside their opponents' 22, they will throw into the resultant lineout. The ball cannot be passed or carried back into the defensive half for the 50:22 to be played. The phase must originate inside the defensive half.
Play is restarted with a 22-metre drop-out when an unsuccessful penalty goal or dropped goal attempt is grounded or made dead in in-goal by the defending team, or the ball goes dead through in-goal from one these attempts.
The player who "steals" the ball at the tackle (sometimes known as the "jackal") often will find that as he picks up the ball the opposition support players arrive and try to knock him back off it. To keep possession he needs to stay in a strong, low position and pull the ball into his chest.
40/20 - Ball is kicked from behind the kickers own 40m line and goes out within the defensive teams 20m line and the goal line.The ball has to bounce out over the side line to regain possession.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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