An overhead view of a scrum during Ireland's Guinness Men's Six Nations final round match against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
World Rugby has outlined the next steps in the process of reimagining rugby’s entertainment factor, part of a wider mission to grow audience share over the next decade.
Following agreement on an action plan at the ‘Shape of the Game’ forum earlier this month to examine ways to advance the rugby experience in a changing sports and entertainment environment, World Rugby has set out a five-phase approach to explore, adopt and trial the key outcomes.
With decisions being made through the lens of player and fan experience as rugby seeks to grow relevance and accessibility among a broader, younger audience, evolution is focused on enhancing ball in flow, reducing stoppages and increasing welfare outcomes.
First phase: Law Application Guidelines reinforcing existing law
From today (March 19), there will be an expectation of strict application of current law by referees globally via the following Law Application Guidelines, focusing on speeding up play:
Second phase: Law amendment recommendations for global adoption
A package of law amendments will be considered by the World Rugby Council at its May 9 meeting. Each is aimed at enhancing game continuity:
Third phase: Closed law trials
Unions and competition owners will be encouraged to implement a package of closed law trials which can be adopted at domestic or cross-border level, aimed at enhancing game continuity:
Fouth phase: Specialist working groups
Specialist working groups will be established to further explore aspects identified by the ‘Shape of the Game’ forum for further consideration. Recommendations will be made to Council.
Fifth phase: Examine impact of specific aspects of the game in new Rugby Labs
New Rugby Labs, which enable World Rugby to test out new aspects of law in a controlled environment evaluated by data and player feedback, will be utilised to examine the impact of aspects of the game that either have an impact on speed or safety. These are likely to include the scrum engagement sequence and the tackle/ruck area.
Next steps
New Law Application Guidelines will come into effect from today (March 19) globally. The World Rugby Council will consider a package of ‘Shape of the Game’ forum recommendations at its next meeting on May 9. Some measures will take longer consideration and will be introduced in line with the defined moratorium windows for the Men’s, Women’s, and Sevens formats.
World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, said: “Change is in rugby’s DNA. Two hundred years ago we were born from a desire to change, and we are harnessing that same spirit to excite the next generation of fans and players.
“The moves that we are making are grounded in our commitment to increasing relevance on a global basis and born from a desire to change for the better.
“That means being bold, embracing change by dialing up the entertainment value, making our stars more accessible and simplifying terminology and language used to explain rugby to those who are yet to fall in love with it.
“We have moved quickly. It has taken a special unity and commitment from across the sport to be able to present a package of enhancements to the Council in May. I look forward to the discussions.”
The plan was designed by the game for the game via the multi-stakeholder ‘Shape of the Game’ forum featuring international competition and professional club competition representatives, coaches, international rugby players and international rugby match officials representatives, Union representatives, and community game, laws, welfare, and fan-engagement experts.
This website uses cookies.
Read More