RFU director of elite rugby Rob Andrew expressed his concerns over the ELVs on the eve of the conference © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Features: O'Sullivan gets to work with Eagles

News: 2010 Six Nations schedule revealed

News: Tew weighs in on ELV debate

The Rugby Football Union have welcomed the results of the Experimental Law Variations conference that decided the collapsing of mauls and unrestricted numbers in the lineout will not be incorporated into Law.

The RFU, who carried out an extensive consultation with clubs and players at every level of the game and technical analysis of 153 matches from competitions around the world, argued against both controversial ELVs in a presentation delivered by their head of elite coach development Kevin Bowring.

Chris Cuthbertson, the RFU Council Member for Middlesex and Chair of the RFU's ELV Task group, said, "The Conference was constructive and positive about the way forward and credit should go to the IRB for organising it. As a Union we have been extremely methodical in both our consultation with those who play, coach, referee and support the game and in our technical analysis of club, provincial and international rugby around the world.

"We have worked closely with the other Six Nations unions to paint as accurate a picture as possible of the impact that the ELVs have had. We presented that to the Conference and we are delighted that they have taken our views on board.

"The whole idea of the ELVs is to improve the sport and while we support the majority of the globally trialled ELVs, the feedback from the Game and our game analysis indicates that pulling down the maul and unrestricted numbers in the line-out have not improved the game."

The RFU's recommendation for up to 15 minutes at half-time will also be carried forward to the International Rugby Board's Rugby Committee who will submi the final proposals to the full IRB Council in May.

British & Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan, a long-time critic of some of the ELVs, also welcomed the decision. "We're now keeping variety in the game and that is very important," said McGeechan, who is also Wasps' Director of Rugby. "The maul allows you options, as do the numbers in the line-out. It makes sides think. The attacking side have got choices and the defensive side has got to make decisions. That's what rugby is about."