1. RFU Referee Education 08-09 Experimental Law Variations

2. Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 Dave Broadwell Referee Development Manager South East Region davebroadwell@rfu.com 07802 435745

3. Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 Ed Turnill Referee Development Officer South East Region edturnill@rfu.com 07894 783 373

4. Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 This is a presentation on the new laws, not a discussion on the rights, wrongs, merits or otherwise of their introduction Start Date 1 st August 2008 Do not forget existing law! Must be read/applied in conjunction with existing law Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education

5. Law 6 – The Assistant Referee A name change for the Touch Judge Merely affirms what ‘appointed 1 ’ touch judges are already asked to do by the referee Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education 1 by match organiser, iRB, RFU, Referee Federation/Society... etc.

6. Law 17 – The Maul Current Law applies except No longer illegal for head and shoulders to be lower than hips Players are able to defend a maul by pulling AN OPPONENT down. RFU Ruling (Not at under 19 and below) RFU Referee Education Place photo here Experimental Law Variations 2008-09

7. Law 17 – The Maul Current Law applies except A defender MUST grasp an opposing player anywhere between shoulders & hips and then pull that player to the ground If a maul is brought down by any other action, it is regarded as a collapse and therefore illegal and this must be applied rigorously by referees Accidental offside/offside Present Law must not be ignored, particularly side entry (by either side) Key words – “pulled down” (play on), “collapsed” (penalty) and “unsuccessful” (turnover) RFU Referee Education Experimental Law Variations 2008-09

8. Law 19 – Touch & line-Out No gain in ground if ball put back into 22 and then kicked directly into touch No restrictions on numbers of either team in lineout At formation receiver must stand 2 metres from lineout Receiver cannot move until the ball leaves the thrower’s hands Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education

9. Law 19 – Touch & Line-Out Opponent opposite thrower into line must stand in area between 5 metre line and touch and 2 metres from the 5 metre line cannot move until ball leaves thrower’s hands Quick throw can be straight or towards the thrower’s own goal line but must still travel beyond the 5 metre line Pre-gripping in line now permitted (allowing for existing Law variations at U15 and below) Lifting in line-out now permitted. (not at under 15 or below - exception County matches) Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education

10. Law 19 – Touch & line-Out The lifting of lineout players is now permitted Remain conscious of where pre- gripping occurs Remain strict on: “dummy” jumping by attacking and defending side early lift by defenders and attackers jumping/stepping into the gap management of the throw in “Sacking” (ball carrier) still legal Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education

11. Law 20 – The Scrum Current Law applies except Offside line 5 metres behind hindmost foot of the scrum Defined lines offside lines for scrum half RFU Referee Education Place photo here Experimental Law Variations 2008-09

13. Finally... Law 22 - Corner Posts No longer touch in goal except when the ball is grounded against the post Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education

14. Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 Thank you for your attention