CONFIRMED: New scrum law will be trialled during Six Nations - Ruck

CONFIRMED: New scrum law will be trialled during Six Nations

World Rugby have introduced a new law trial with immediate effect heading into the Six Nations.

The scrum trial is aimed at helping Hookers, who have developed degenerative neck injuries since law change back in 2013.

A report in The Times says the law is being introduced to lessen the force of ‘axial loading’ on hookers’ spines and necks at scrums when an estimated 100kg of force is the norm at elite level.

“The law trial is designed to ensure that the packs hold their own weight on the bind phase, retaining a small gap between the front rows, and do not begin applying pressure until they engage,” the paper reports.

“It will be mandatory for hookers in the men’s, women’s and under-20 Six Nations to keep one foot forward during the bind phase of the scrum engagement sequence, acting as a brake.”

A free kick will be awarded for a hooker not using a brake foot.

EDITORS PICKS:

Refereeing appointments announced for 2022 Six Nations

As a result, 13 referees representing eight unions will take charge of the Championship’s 15 matches.

ROUND 1:

Referee, Ben O’Keeffe watches the TMO for a tackle against George North of Wales during the Guinness Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on March 7 2020. – PHOTO: Cameron Geran/PPAUK
Ireland v Wales
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Saturday, 5 February, 2022
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
Assistant Referee 2: Angus Gardner (RA)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)
Scotland v England
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Saturday, 5 February, 2022
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
France v Italy
Stade de France, Paris
Sunday, 6 February, 2022
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referee 2: Damon Murphy (RA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

ROUND 2:

Wales v Scotland
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday, 12 February, 2022
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
France v Ireland
Stade de France, Paris
Saturday, 12 February, 2022
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Italy v England
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Sunday, 13 February, 2022
Referee: Damon Murphy (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 2:
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

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