"Less kicking" - Warren Gatland proposes radical changes to rugby as he calls for three law alterations

As we step into the promising year of 2024, Gatland boldly asserts that rugby, in its pursuit of innovation and spectator engagement, needs to reevaluate its approach to kicking.

Recognised for his astute understanding of the game, Gatland unveils a set of proposed changes aimed at enhancing the sport and ushering in a new era of dynamic, fast-paced rugby.

In this exclusive exploration from The Telegraph, we delve into Gatland's vision and the potential impact his suggested alterations could have on the rugby landscape in the months to come.

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Gatland wrote: "The review also shed some light on what we need to change in the game. We talked about how defence dominates the game, but the biggest thing in the game at the moment which is probably having the biggest influence on performance and results is the kicking game and the kicking strategy.

"That includes the number of kicks by a side, the type of kicks and kicking metres. What has happened is that the middle part of the field has become the area where no side wants to be turned over, particularly if the concession is a penalty at the breakdown, whether it is for a player not releasing, going off his feet or in at the side of a ruck.

"Through the World Cup in France, the team that registered the most kicking metres enjoyed roughly an 80 per cent win rate."

Garland wrote: "There are some law changes I would also like to see that might help improve the game from an attacking perspective.

"One I have been thinking about is taking the ‘mark’ out of the game. I am not sure there is a need for it anymore. It just slows the game down and takes some of the jeopardy out of putting high balls up into the opposition 22.

We also need to speed up scrums. Referees have stopped teams holding huddles before line-outs but what about scrum time?

"I said to one of my coaches that we need to run there, get set up as quickly as we can and put the referee and the opposition under a bit of pressure to speed up the scrums. Keep an eye out for Wales implementing this in the upcoming Six Nations.

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Galand wrote: "We have to look at ways to keep the game moving and encourage teams to become more inventive and creative.

"The final item on my Christmas wish list would be to review how we use replacements. The game is producing incredibly powerful athletes and when you see teams like South Africa at the World Cup name a bench with seven forwards and just one back, it means that your forwards only have to play for 40 minutes. That was not what it was intended for.

"We are not seeing that at the moment because of the number of replacements and the incredible athletes we are producing. I think the time has come to trial a reduction in the number of replacements or even a return to when they were only for injuries. This ruling may just apply to top level or international rugby."

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