As of yesterday. there are some new rugby laws. While they don't officially come into play in the northern hemisphere until the 1st of August, the rules were brought into southern hemisphere rugby on New Year's Day. The Lions tour this summer, however, will come under the remit of the new laws.
It's a bit of a long winded statement explaining what they are from World Rugby, so we've broken the main ones down into handy little titbits for you to digest.
New Rugby Laws
Scrums:
Uncontested scrums as a result of a sending off, temporary suspension or injury must be played with eight players per side.
Why?: To discourage teams from being shite craic and going to uncontested scrums.
Time
If a penalty is kicked into touch after time has elapsed without touching another player, the referee allows the throw-in to be taken and play continues until the next time the ball becomes dead.
Why?: To discourage teams from fouling in the dying moments of the game. But this one has already caused controversy after Connacht beat Wasps.
Advantage
When there are multiple penalty infringements by the same team, the referee may allow the captain of the non-offending team to choose the most advantageous of the penalty marks.
Why? To discourage teams from repeated offences when advantage is already being played.
Penalty Tries
If a player would probably have scored a try but for foul play by an opponent, a penalty try is awarded. No conversion is attempted. Value: 7 points.
Why?: Essentially to speed the game up.
The first time we'll see these laws in action will probably be the Lions tour of New Zealand which begins on the 3rd of June against the New Zealand Barbarians.
While it makes sense to try and speed the game up, is it really saving that much time by taking a conversion away after a penalty try?
Sadly for Irish fans, there was no law brought in which prevented Jaco Peyper from taking charge of one of our games...
SEE ALSO: Richard Cockerill Sacked As Leicester Director Of Rugby
