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:
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) |
ROUND 3:
| Scotland v France BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh Saturday, 26 February, 2022 | Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU) TMO: Tom Foley (RFU) |
| England v Wales Twickenham Stadium, London Saturday, 26 February, 2022 | Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU) Assistant Referee 1: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Assistant Referee 2: Frank Murphy (IRFU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU) |
| Ireland v Italy Aviva Stadium, Dublin Sunday, 27 February, 2022 | Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU) TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR) |
ROUND 4:
Referee, Luke Pearce during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Harlequins and Wasps at The Stoop, Twickenham on 28 Sept. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK/Gallagher.
| Wales v France Principality Stadium, Cardiff Friday, 11 March, 2022 | Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Jaco Peyper (SARU) Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR) TMO: Tom Foley (RFU) |
| Italy v Scotland Stadio Olimpico, Rome Saturday, 12 March, 2022 | Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU) TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU) |
| England v Ireland Twickenham Stadium, London Saturday, 12 March, 2022 | Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Assistant Referee 1: Mike Adamson (SRU) Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR) TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU) |
CONTINUES ON PAGE FOUR
ROUND 5:
Referee, Wayne Barnes during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate on 29 Jan. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
| Wales v Italy Principality Stadium, Cardiff Saturday, 19 March, 2022 | Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Tual Trainini (FFR) TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU) |
| Ireland v Scotland Aviva Stadium, Dublin Saturday, 19 March, 2022 | Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (FFR) TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU) |
| France v England Stade de France, Paris Saturday, 19 March, 2022 | Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU) Assistant Referee 1: Mike Adamson (SRU) Assistant Referee 2: Frank Murphy (IRFU) TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU) |
