IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset confirmed the extension of the trial today © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Tournaments/Tours: French Top 14 | French Top 14

Teams: France

The International Rugby Board has announced details of an expanded trial of the Experimental Law Variations at an elite level of competition in the northern hemisphere.

Starting this weekend, the Espoirs Championship in France, will provide the platform for a further six month trial of the variations that have featured in the recent Tri Nations and Super 14 competitions, but are not part of the global trial that kicked off on August 1. With weekly fixtures, the Espoirs Championship is the Top 14's second team competition, featuring a blend of professionals and up and coming under 23 academy players.

"The IRB Council, at its meeting in Dublin in May, outlined the importance of identifying a suitable elite level competition in the northern hemisphere to further trial the experimental variations that were not approved for global trial in the 2008/09 season. These variations relate to sanctions (the reduction of sanctions to free kicks where possible), the tackle, ruck and maul," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

The agreement, reached with the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) and Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), represents the highest level of testing of the ELVs in the northern hemisphere and is another milestone in the global ELV trial process, allowing the IRB to further evaluate the variations in a professional competition environment.

"The IRB is delighted that the FFR and LNR have provided the opportunity to proceed with this important trial within a professional competition structure. This is an exciting development for the Game and over the next six months the Laws Project Group (LPG) will be able to undertake extensive data research, including qualitative feedback from players, coaches and referees," added Lapasset.

In March 2009 the ELV review process will begin and include Member Union feedback. The Rugby Committee will then make a recommendation to Council in May 2009 when the decision to accept any or all of the ELVs will be made.

The ELVs to be trialled in France's Espoirs Championship in addition to global ELVs:

Sanctions: For all offences other than offside, not entering through the gate, and Law 10 - Foul Play, the sanction is a Free Kick.

Tackle and ruck: If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown, the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a Free Kick

Maul: If a maul becomes unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul receives a Free Kick

ELVs being trialled worldwide

Assistant Referees

* Assistant Referees can assist referees in any manner required when appointed by a match organiser

Posts and flags around the field

* The corner posts are no longer considered to be in touch in-goal except when a ball is grounded against the post

Lineout and throw

* If a team puts the ball back into their own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch there is no gain of ground * A quick throw may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team's own goal line * There is no restriction on the number of players who can participate in the lineout from either side (minimum of two) * The receiver in a lineout must stand 2 metres back from the lineout * The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball may stand in the area between the 5 metre line and touch line but must be 2 metres away from the lineout * Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in * The lifting of lineout jumpers is permitted

Maul

* Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down * Remove reference in Law to heads and shoulders not to be lower than hips

Scrum

* Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum * Scrum half offside lines (must be in close proximity to the scrum as present Law or must retreat five metres)

ELVs to be trialled in an elite Northern Hemisphere competition. Global approved ELVs plus the following:

Sanctions

* For all offences other than offside, not entering through the gate, and Law 10 - Foul Play, the sanction is a Free Kick

Tackle and ruck

* If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown, the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a Free Kick

Maul

* If a maul becomes unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul receives a Free Kick

ELVs to be referred back to LPG for further analysis and possible experimentation (any future trials yet to be determined)

Lineout and throw

* Incorrect throw (not straight) the sanction is a Free Kick

Tackle and ruck

* Offside line occurs immediately at the tackle * Players who are on their feet can play the ball with their hands * There are two Penalty Kicks warded at the tackle and ruck - offside and foul play * Reference to unfair play added to Law 15 (tackle: ball carrier brought to ground)

Offside

* Players are only put onside after a tackle when they retreat past the tackle or the ball has moved five metres away from the tackle

Kick-off and restart kicks

* Incorrect kick-offs and restart kicks result in a Free Kick for the opposition