Scotland to carry on Law experiments
Super Cup laboratory
Scottish Rugby has reached agreement with the International Rugby Board to try out a number of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) in the new Premier 1 Club Super Cup which starts on 6 January 2007.
This follows the initial trial by the IRB of a number of ELVs at Stellenbosch University earlier this year.
At Stellenbosch teams in the highly competitive residences (koshuis) leagues were the guinea pigs.
The experts involved in the experiments are former Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen, former Springbok coach Ian McIntosh, former Scotland coach Richie Dixon, former French player, coach and current IRB Regional Development Manager Pierre Villepreux, IRB Referee Manager Paddy O'Brien, and IRB Development Manager Bruce Cook.
Like the residences league at Stellenbosch, the Super Cup will be competitive and with 21 matches will provide a big enough competition.
The changes maintain the principle of rugby as a game for all shapes and sizes but seeks to simplify the laws and make referees' decisions less subjective. The principal areas covered by the variations are line-out, tackle, maul and scrum.
Jock Millican, Secretary of the Premier 1 Forum said: “The Premier 1 clubs are pleased to have the opportunity to trial the experimental laws and have an input to the formation of any potential law changes. The Super Cup is an ideal format for this and we believe the experimental law changes will lead to a more exciting game for players and spectators.”
The Premier One Super Cup, split into two pools, begins on Saturday 6 January with the final on Saturday 31 March.
