Scrum Law changes

'Crouch, touch, pause, engage'

The International Rugby Board (IRB) Council has approved a change to the Law that governs the scrum. This follows a review of the scrum by the IRB Rugby Committee and its Law Project Group following recommendations made by the IRB's Medical Committee.

The Law change will see the implementation of a four stage "crouch, touch, pause, engage" sequence for the initial scrum engagement at all levels of the Game from 1 January, 2007.

Rewrite law 20.1(h) as:
The referee will call "crouch" then "touch". The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing prop's outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call "pause". Following a pause the referee will then call "engage". The front rows may then engage. The "engage" call is not a command but an indication that the front rows may come together when ready.

INFRINGEMENTS

Law 20.1 (g)
Each player's head and shoulders are no lower than the hips.
Penalty: Free Kick

Law 20.1 (h)
The referee will call "crouch".
Penalty: Free Kick

Law 20.1 (h)
The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing prop's shoulder.
Penalty: Free Kick

Law 20.1 (h)
The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing prop's shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms.
Penalty: Free Kick

Law 20.1 (h)
The referee will then call "pause". Following a pause the referee will then call "engage".
Penalty: Free Kick

Law 20.1 (j)
A front row must not form at a distance from its opponents and rush against them. This is dangerous play.
Penalty: Penalty Kick

Law 20.1 (k)
Until the ball leaves the scrum half's hands, the scrum must be stationary and the middle line must be parallel to the goal lines. A team must not shove the scrum away from the mark before the ball is thrown in.
Penalty: Free Kick

Law 20.3 (a-d)
Incorrect binding by props and hookers
Penalty: Penalty Kick

Law 20.5 (a)
As soon as the front rows have come together, the scrum half must throw in the ball without delay. The scrum half must throw in the ball when told to do so by the referee.
Penalty: Free Kick 

Law 20.6 (d)
The scrum half must throw in the ball straight along the middle line….
Penalty: Free Kick