3. Rolling substitutions
Already used at lower levels, this law could be quickly introduced to ease fears over player burn-out and injuries due to the long layoff. For example, the rolling substitutes would discourage players from carrying on if they pick up a knock and get themselves checked out.
Rolling substitutions in rugby union?
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) October 12, 2017
Mark Lambert tells us he thinks the idea could reduce injuries.
📻 https://t.co/NI1sjtpg98 pic.twitter.com/iC6hjZQCX5
The general rule for substitutes is that once a player has been substituted, he cannot be brought back in other than in four instances; (1) an injury to a front row player, (2) a player with a blood injury, (3) a player undertaking a head assessment injury (4) due to a player who has been injured due to a result of foul play.
With the rolling substitutes introduced, it means that players can be substituted for tactical purposes and not due to injury. This means that a player who started the game can be substituted during the match and later brought back to play.