SIX NATIONS rugby is into its third weekend with a host of tasty matches coming up.
Radical new regulations were introduced by World Rugby for the Six Nations 2022 edition.
SportsfileFive-metre scrums have been replaced by drop-kicks from the try-line in the event of the ball being held up[/caption]
AFP50:22 kicks are also in force for this year’s Six Nations[/caption]
The rules, which include a 50:22 kick and no five-metre scrums after the ball is held up over the try-line, were implemented worldwide last year.
It greatly affects the way in which the game is played, especially the 50:22 kick.
What is a 50:22 and how does it work?
This is a big one, and hugely beneficial in an attacking sense.
If a player kicks the ball from inside their own half and it bounces inside the opposition’s 22, the team in possession will throw in from the resulting lineout.
In theory it encourages teams to hold players back to cover the kick, and as a result free up more space to run into.
Why is there no five-metre scrum when the ball is held up?
Play will now restart with a drop kick from the try-line if:
The ball is held up over the try-lineThere is a knock-on by an attacking player in-goal An attacking kick is grounded by a defender behind their try-line
This removes the need for five-metre scrums, and means the ball will both be in play for longer, and also speed up game play.
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What is happening on dangerous cleanouts and jackaling?
Jackaling has become more prevalent in the game in recent weeks, and has seen players suffer horrific leg injuries after having the entire bodyweight of a player pinned onto them.
England flanker Jack Willis suffered a sickening knee injury as a result of a dangerous clearout in the 2021 Six Nations.
As a result tougher sanctions are being implemented on players who are viewed as targeting or dropping weight on an opponent’s lower limbs.
Therefore the bigger aim is to improve player safety in an attempt to prevent serious injury.
3Willis was stretchered off last year after a sickening injury at the breakdown[/caption]
What other new rules are there?
Other sanctions are also being introduced in a bid to help player safety.
Penalties will be imposed on the three-person mini-scrum, where two players latch themselves to the ball-carrier, and therefore use the power of multiple bodies to progress forward.
This means tacklers won’t be faced by the daunting prospect of bringing down three opponents at the same time, and will no doubt improve player welfare.
On a similar note, there is recognition for the potential for a one player pre-latched tactic.
This is when the ball carrier has one team-mate bind to them before taking contact.
Nothing will change as such on this one, but greater attention will be paid to it to ensure it is carried out legally.
In particular the player binding themselves to the ball carrier ensuring they remain on their feet at all times.
The result of this will be cleaner rucks with more players standing on their feet, as opposed to the mess often seen at the breakdown with players all over the shop.