In this episode of the Advantage Over podcast, Keith talks through the law changes that have been announced by World Rugby and which came into force for new comps/leagues from 1 July. If youre mid-season, dont change anything unless youre told you can!
All the changes and tweaks were agreed by the World Rugby Council in their June meeting.
While there’s a lot to cover, the bottom line is that there isn’t much that changes for us as referees. Only two pretty-rare in-goal restarts change from 22DOs to TLDOs but as you’ll hear, there’s a lot of other bits and pieces to be aware of:
- Move of four older GLobal Law Trials into full law
- Introduction of a lower legal tackle height for the community game as law for all (choice for Unions of sternum or waist)
- Minor law wording tweaks for consistency, clarity or to remove confusion or conflicting clauses
- Law application guideline covering the Maul
World Rugby say this isn’t about removing/changing laws – it’s just a tidy up process to make life easier for everyone reading and trying to understand the laws. Let us know what you think!
Many of you will have had your own lists of ‘law problems’ – have these all been fixed now? Let us know if you have any others!
Links:
- World Rugby ‘What’s new’ article on the changes
- World Rugby presentation being circuilated to Unions for cascading
- Tackle height law wordings
- June 2026 Maul Law Application Guideline
If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at keith@rugbyreferee.net!
Hi Keith
Great listen
50/22 – whose half is the Halfway line in?
Very relevant as many scrums from incorrect Kick offs
Hi John – thanks!! Half way linr is in both halves. And a FK can gain a 50:22
Ok that works for the FK
What about the scrum so RED scrum which the win they take it back so no 50/22?
Also the LO RED LO which the win they take it back so no 50/22?
and … Also the LO RED LO which BLUE WIN win they take it back so 50/22 on?
Never set a LO or scrum on half way. Solves the problem entirely.
no option when re-start law stipulates a scrum on the halfway line. 🙂
The scrum can be but the ball isn’t put in the middle “shoulder offset on mid point” so will always be put in in the half of the ball winning it, or played back into half if it’s the other team take against the head
blimey thats a stretch 🙂