RFU Referee Education

1. 08-09 Experimental Law Variations RFU Referee Education

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

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

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 1st 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 ‘appointed1’ touch judges are already asked to do by the referee 1by match organiser, iRB, RFU, Referee Federation/Society... etc. Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education

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) Place photo here Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education

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) Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education

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 Place photo here Experimental Law Variations 2008-09 RFU Referee Education

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