World Rugby reveals law variations for community game

NEWS: World Rugby has announced 10 optional law variations for the global community game, which are designed to increase player welfare and accessibility.

The law variations include the flexibility of the number of players in teams, game duration, ball and pitch sizes as well as variations to scrums, line-outs and kicking rules.

There is also the introduction of weight-based banding for the youth and the option to adjust the tackle height.

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Unions can pick and choose from the law variations dependent on their context and purpose.

The new laws can be utilised from January 1, 2022.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “The community game is the heart and soul of our sport, it is the foundation upon which our house is built and today represents a landmark for rugby around the globe with the introduction of optional community law variations for our national member unions.

“We are constantly listening to, and engaging with the global rugby family at all levels and I am delighted that today’s tangible outcomes were borne out of an initial survey that received more than 1,800 respondents from around the world and builds upon existing models in England, New Zealand and Wales.

“A major benefit of the global nature of the project will be the ability for sharing of best practice across Unions and having one set of guidance that players can recognise no matter where they play in the world.

“The law amendments announced today are a key element of our long-term objective to make the game more accessible, more sustainable, safer and available to all across the globe.

“The passion, commitment and enjoyment that is seen on rugby pitches up and down countries around the globe is what drives us on with the determination to continue to evolve and improve the game we love for all.”