Scrums on trial in opening round of Rugby Championship

The new engagement will also make its debut in the northern hemisphere when

the new season gets under way. If the trials are accepted in full law next

summer, then teams will have had two years playing under the new scrum

sequence before the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

“Player welfare enhancements have driven this trial,” Gosper said. “Live and

lab trials of the crouch, bind, set engagement sequence have demonstrated a

25 per cent reduction in the forces on engagement at all levels of the game,

which is a big plus for the long-term welfare of players. That said, trials

have also proven to increase stability of the scrum and therefore the new

process has the potential to reduce the issues of collapses and resets that

have been so prevalent at the elite level of the game.

“The fronts rows will be closer, the binding will be stronger, the ball will

not enter the scrum until the platform is stable and referees have been

instructed to police the feed.”

“Fundamental to the success of this process will be buy-in from all to ensure

a positive approach to the scrum,” added Gosper. “We anticipate that it will

take a while for all to become used to the new engagement process, but if we

can ensure a stable platform by players, coaches and referees working

together, then the product will be better for all.”

“The feedback that we have been getting from coaches and players around the

world is that this is a positive change that enhances player welfare and

scrum stability.”

Scrums on trial in opening round of Rugby Championship