World Rugby have unveiled a suite of law variations which member Unions can chose from to help more players return to, or stick with, rugby.
The variations include modified contact, weight-banded matches and lowering the tackle height, flexibility in player numbers, shorter game durations, smaller pitch sizes, smaller ball size, as well as variations to scrums, lineouts and kicking.
The full set of variations can be viewed or downloaded here.
In order to promote a global consistency at the community level of the game, the menu of 10 law variants can be implemented by national unions from January 2022 if they chose to do so. Implementation will be optional and available in part or in whole as each Union sees fit.
The introduction of Game On Global follows World Rugby’s recently launched participation plan to accelerate sustainable rugby involvement beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and in line with the transformational strategy to cement rugby as the most progressive sport on player welfare.
The proposals give national unions the ability to implement modified laws at a domestic mass participation level, furthering game experience and safety for participants. Unions can pick and choose from dependent on their context and purpose.
Implementation of the law variations will be centrally monitored, and a global research project will provide an evaluation of the impacts in terms of injury-prevention and overall participation impact.
They were developed by the Community Laws Flexibility Working Group* which was set up in November 2020, following a World Rugby survey in relation to law trials that received more than 1,800 respondents, reflecting World Rugby’s mission to engage with the rugby family.
The working group involved member union Community Rugby Directors, World Rugby Council Members, World Rugby Community Rugby Committee Members, World Rugby Regional and Executive Staff.
A number of national models of good practise already in existence, including in England, New Zealand and Wales, who have shared their knowledge and expertise in the development of World Rugby’s global project, which builds on these models and extends to other areas of the game.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said, “The community game is the heart and soul of our sport, it is the foundation upon which our house is built and today represents a landmark for rugby around the globe with the introduction of optional community law variations for our national member unions.
“The law amendments announced today are a key element of our long term objective to make the game more accessible, more sustainable, safer and available to all across the globe. The passion, commitment and enjoyment that is seen on rugby pitches up and down countries around the globe is what drives us on with the determination to continue to evolve and improve the game we love for all.”
Robert Butcher, Welsh Rugby Union Chairman, said, “All members of our global rugby family will be delighted to take full advantage of the opportunities so provided by the introduction of the new law variations. Community rugby lies at the heart of our strategy moving forward; every single international rugby player, male or female, will have began their journey to the top by being introduced to the game at grassroots level, and the variations are designed to ensure they may be involved more often and with more enjoyment from the outset. Pleasingly, all variations are optional, and the mix and match approach can be adapted accordingly.”
Ada Milby, Asia Rugby Executive Committee Member and Philippines Rugby President, said, “One of the biggest challenges we face in developing and emerging rugby nations is having sufficient numbers to play. Game on Global maintains the spirit of the traditional format, while meeting unions, clubs and teams where they are to implement variations that best fit their current environment.”
Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director, said, “The Game on Global law variations provide an exciting opportunity to offer different game formats that will allow us to attract and retain players who want different rugby experiences beyond the full contact game. The health, wellbeing and social benefits associated with playing rugby are widely recognised and we are delighted that these law variations will enable more people to enjoy the benefits of participating in rugby in different formats and levels of the game.
Steve Lancaster, New Zealand Rugby General Manager, Community Rugby, said, “I am delighted to see the launch of Game on Global. Being able to adapt the game experience to improve participation is important for the rugby community in New Zealand, and there is nothing worse for players than turning up for a game only to have it not go ahead due to lack of numbers.”
The Community Laws Flexibility Working Group:
Development Directors
• Steve Grainger – RFU
• Steve Lancaster – NZRU
Community Rugby Committee and/ or Council Members
• Rob Butcher – WRU
• Marjorie Enya – Sudamérica Rugby
• Ada Milby – Asia Rugby
Regional staff
• Jen Gray – Rugby Americas North
• Adama Bakhoum – Rugby Afrique
World Rugby staff
• Mark Harrington – Chief Player Welfare and Rugby Services Officer
• Dom Rumbles – Chief Communications Officer
• Mihir Warty – Chief Strategy Officer
• Jason Lewis – Director of Participation
