At the IRB Council meeting yesterday, it was agreed that most of the ELVs which applied in the P1 Supercup last year will be trialled worldwide for a 12 month period. This means that we will have them next season at all levels of the game. This will have major implications for all clubs and schools. You will find further details on the IRB website www.irb.com, (see attached) but the 5 metres back from scrums, pulling down mauls and lineout ones are included. The ones which will not be part of the worldwide trial are those about the side not in possession at the start of the maul receiving a free kick if it becomes unplayable and the side who did not take the ball into contact being given a free kick if the ball becomes unplayable at the breakdown.
The change of sanctions for all offences other than offside and foul play (formerly scrums in many cases but free kicks under the ELVs) was not approved for the global trial, but is to be trialled in a northern hemisphere elite competition and then reconsidered.
No doubt there will be much coming from Murrayfield in the coming weeks to assist coaches and players and many of our clubs in P1 have practical experience from last year.

The attempt by Scotland to have the rolling sub ELV converted into a law failed, but Scotland were given consent to continue to operate it. You will recall that there was a fear that if it was not accepted, it would be lost, so there is no change at a practical level.


Kenny H

This article was posted on 2-May-2008, 10:18 by Hugh Barrow.