Exclusive (it would seem): The IRB have approved the change to the scrum engagement sequence for trial globally from next season (us in August, Jan 2013 for SH teams. This is in addition to those announced last week. You will remember that while this was mentioned in last week’s communique it was suggested it was going into a further round of discussions. Not so it would seem:
The new sequence will be “Crouch, Touch, Set”.
Thoughts??
10. Law 20.1 (g) Forming a Scrum Current 20.1 (g):
The referee will call “crouch” then “touch”. The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing props outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call “pause”. Following a pause the referee will then call “engage”. The front rows may then engage. The “engage” call is not a command but an indication that the front rows may come together when ready.Amend 20.1 (g) to read:
The referee will call “crouch” then “touch”. The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing prop’s outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call “set” when the front rows are ready. The front rows may then engage. The “set” call is not a command but an indication that the front rows may come together when ready.
