Maul set for revival as ratification conference proposes ELVs pruning

THE MAUL is set to be revived and the freedom to determine lineout numbers shelved as 10 of the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) were put forward for ratification by the International Ruby Board (IRB) rugby committee yesterday. At a two-day conference at the Lensbury Club in south London, representatives from the global rugby community aired their views on the contentious ELVs.

The next step is for the rules to go through the IRB committee (expected to be a rubber-stamping process) on April 27th, before requiring a two-thirds majority from the 26-man IRB council in Dublin on May 13th.

That will be a busy day in determining the course of the game, as unions which hope to stage the 2015 and 2019 World Cups will make presentations to the council.

Another separate rule proposal, trialled in France, will attempt to nullify the uncontested scrum option, with squads potentially expanding to 23 to ensure complete frontrow cover. The French federation proposes a team be reduced to 14 players should they seek the uncontested option. In the French trials there were two recorded incidents, in over 400 matches, when uncontested scrums became unavoidable.

Notable rules which the gathering agreed should be adopted into law included “kicking directly into touch from ball played back into 22 equals no gain in ground”, despite the “ping-pong” rugby that has resulted from this trial law in recent months. The intention of this rule was to ensure the ball remained in play for longer periods, in the hope it would ensure an improved spectacle.

The five-metre offside line at scrums (with a separate scrumhalf offside line), corner posts no longer being out of play and quick throws from lineout have also gone forward for retention.

IRFU director of rugby Eddie Wigglesworth was in London and saw the return of the maul as a positive, considering its heretofore integral role in rugby union.

“There are refinements to the maul,” said Wigglesworth. “The truck and trailer approach will remain illegal, and if the maul stops a ‘use it or lose it’ scenario will be in place. There will be no leverage for shunting to the side or going backwards.”

Issues pertaining to sanctions, free-kicks and tackle/ruck infringements have gone back to committee for further examination and clarification. That said, Wigglesworth was confidant the Southern Hemisphere ELVs that have seen a rash of free-kicks awarded will not be adopted into unified, worldwide rules next month. This was also confirmed by an IRB spokesman.

“The tackle and ruck are primary areas in the game,” he said. “It is the most difficult for referees, players and supporters.

“There is a definite recognition that wilful actions by a player should allow the referee to be able to award a penalty. At present, there are too many free kicks.”

The culmination of a four-year review programme comes on May 13th, but this week’s meeting was about seeking a consensus from all stakeholders, using “game analysis and statistical surveys from over 800 matches, involving more than 3,000 players, coaches and referees at the elite and participation levels of the game from 15 IRB Member Unions,” read an IRB statement.

“This conference was not a decision-making meeting,” added IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset, “but at the end of the day the conference provided a set of collective recommendations on the ELVs to assist the IRB rugby committee in formulating its final recommendations for the IRB council meeting on May 13th. Council will then decide which ELVs, if any, should be fully integrated into law.”

No Irish coach or players were present, although Lions head coach Ian McGeechan was joined by other international coaches Frank Hadden (Scotland), Robbie Deans (Australia, New Zealand native), Santiago Phelan (Argentina), Steve Hansen (New Zealand assistant) and Nick Mallet (Italy, South African native).

Other IRFU administrators in attendance were chief executive Phillip Browne, head of referees Owen Doyle, Dr Mick Molloy (laws project group and medical officer), John Feehan (Six Nations and Lions chief executive) and Derek McGrath (ERC chief executive).

Finally, the current Northern Hemisphere ELVs will be in operation for this year’s British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

ELV PROPOSALS AT A GLANCE

Recommendations for the IRB rugby committee for adoption:

Law 19:Kicking directly into touch from ball played back into 22 equals no gain in ground.

Law 19:Quick lineout throw permitted in any direction except forward (must be two metres away).

Law 20:Five-metre offside line at the scrum (separate scrumhalf offside line).

Law 22:Corner posts no longer touch in goal.

The following were not recommended:

Law 17:Maul – pulling down the maul.

Law 19:Freedom for each team to determine lineout numbers.

Free kicks and tackle/ruck infringements (clarification forthcoming but Southern Hemisphere ELVs have been shelved).

At the conclusion of the conference the French federation tabled a proposal to deal with the issue of uncontested scrums. This will be further discussed by the rugby committee (April 27th) and unions will be able to give further feedback before the May 13th council meeting.