IRB approve change in scrum law to tackle engagement problems

The International Rugby Board council have approved a change to the law that governs the scrum, based on advice from sundry subsidiary committees within the organisation, including the Medical Committee. The law change will see the implementation of a four-stage "crouch, touch, pause, engage" sequence for the initial scrum engagement at all levels of the game from January 1st, 2007.

The consensus was there had to be a less vigorous scrum engagement. Two key areas were reviewed. The first was information from the IRB medical advisory committee, and the second was the biomechanical processes involved in the scrum.

It became clear the gap between the two teams at engagement needed to be better quantified to prevent practices such as charging and this has led to the law change.

The referee will now use the four-step call as opposed to crouch, pause and engage. The call is not a command but an indication that the frontrows may come together when ready. The scrum must be stationary and the middle line of the scrum must be parallel to the goal lines and there is to be a crackdown on pushing before the ball comes in.