by World Rugby has pledged to improve the pace of the game with five initiatives including speeding up the “use it” calls at scrum time and giving scrums more space and protection.
These moves follow the conclusion of the Shape of the Game 2024 forum held in London, and recommendations made to “reimagine the spectacle and increase rugby’s share of attention within an increasingly competitive global sports and entertainment market”.
Five specialist committees (men’s and women’s high performance, professional game, professional leagues and community rugby) were all represented by playing, coaching, official, competition and fan experts as part of the new initiatives, with this year’s forum at focus on the long term instead of. short-term progress, as in the past.
The five recommendations include:
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Speed and flow
Focus on features that keep the game moving including speeding up the “use it” call from referees at the break, removing repeated scrum options, expanding the remit of the shot clock, revising the offside law from kicks, and explore measures to provide. the scrum half with more space and protection at the base of the scrum, the rucks and the brows. -
Language and presentation of the game
A renewed passion and urgency to focus on building rugby’s attention share through a fan-centric approach to how the game is marketed, a consistent approach to the presentation of the sport across all media environments and a focus on the moments in the a game that really inspires fans. . -
Women’s game
A dedicated focus on adapting women’s rugby and laws, recognizing its unique characteristics, strengths and opportunities to attract new audiences. -
Player welfare and well-being
A player-driven approach to welfare progression, including eliminating the ‘croc roll’ and examining the breakdown. -
Review of the disciplinary process
Streamline the sport’s disciplinary and sanctioning processes to aid efficiency, consistency and fan understanding.
The timing of the new procedures is relevant following comments made by Wales head coach Warren Gatland after Saturday’s win over Ireland about the size of the ball at playing time and his reference to the way the game was played. force. Gatland said at the time: “I was disappointed with that first half. It was difficult to gain momentum. I think it was only 13 minutes of ball in play time. When we talk about the laws of the game, trying to be positive and make it more attractive to the fans. I’m not sure the players of both teams were responsible for the number of stops in that first half.”
The repeated removal of scrum options, while speeding up the game, is likely to attract opposition from those concerned about the importance of the set piece in the modern game. Also a hot topic was revising the kickback law – often called Dupont’s Law after French investigator Antoine Dupont’s exploitation of it; Receiving players only need to run the ball five meters before allowing attackers not previously on that side to tackle and then tackle them. He featured prominently in the final stages of the French victory over Scotland.
World Rugby introduced shot clock timers at the end of 2022 and used them at the Rugby World Cup for the first time last year, with Owen Farrell one of its first victims after he expired while preparing to take a kick against Samoa.
‘Croc roll’ injuries have been a major concern among top-flight players for some time, with England captain Jack Willis sustaining a serious injury against Italy back in 2021, which ruled him out of action He has been with England for over a year.
Sir Bill Beaumont, Chairman of World Rugby, praised these measures saying: “The Shape of the Game 2024 is an important milestone in defining the future of our sport. It is based on a need and opportunity to grow rugby audiences by considering how the on-field product and off-field experience can secure long-term growth within a new calendar that delivers long-term certainty for content. exciting from the expanded Rugby World Cup to new global competitions.
“It’s great to see the desire from all stakeholders – players, coaches, match officials, competition owners, unions and regions – to develop the game so that we can achieve success, not just at elite level, but by the community. game. I want to thank everyone for their forward thinking and cooperation.”
Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby said: “Rugby is in an attention economy. The appeal of the product in all its forms, together with the excitement of the event experience, the content we create and the stories we tell, is central to the growth of the sport as a whole.
“We won’t look at actions or minor law changes in isolation, but we will look at the changes we should make to definitively move the needle to make the game more relevant, attract new fans and engage with the fans deepen existing followers, and simplify the sport to make it more relevant. accessible.”
