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.
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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:
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) |