The shape of Rugby Union could be in for a major overhaul after the World Cup, and the new laws that will be trialled give players, coaches and referees a first-hand glimpse at what it might look like. In New Zealand, the new laws will be used in the second-tier provincial competition.

These Experimental Law Variations (ELV) are intended to simplify the 150-page law book and provide more open rugby. Anecdotal evidence coming from the Sydney club competition, where the ELVs are already in use, claims the ball is in play for an extra 15 minutes per game.

Some areas affected by the ELVs are the scrum, line-out and breakdown. Another major change sees most infringements penalised by a free-kick, currently only seen a handful of times per game.

The role of touch judges has been altered considerably. Renamed flag judges, they are now able to rule on offsides by extending their flag horizontally in the direction of the offending team. Currently, touch judges rarely rule on offside and always use electronic communication equipment to do so.

The playing field has also had a minor alteration. Currently the corner flags are touch-in-goal if the ball or ball carrier touches them. Under the ELVs, these flags will be moved two metres from the touch line, taking them out of play entirely.

After the 1991 Rugby World Cup, the laws were altered to prevent a player from retreating behind his own 22-metre line and then kicking the ball directly into touch. This law is being revisited, now preventing players from passing the ball to a team-mate behind the 22 and kicking directly to touch.

The rolling maul has been an extremely effective tactic for teams with powerful packs but under the ELVs defending teams will be able to deliberately collapse mauls. Counter-balancing this, the so-called "truck and trailer" rule is being scrapped, allowing attacking players to peel away from mauls without fear of team-mates in front of the ball being penalised.

The contentious breakdown area has only come in for minor changes; there are now offside lines for both sides as soon as a tackle has been effected. The only offences at the breakdown which can result in a penalty are offside, incorrect entry and either team preventing the ball from being played immediately. All other offences result in a free-kick.

Many teams use the line-out as an attacking platform because both back-lines are required to be 10 metres from the line-out. This approach will be adopted for the scrum where back-lines will be required to be five metres from the hindmost foot instead of in line with the hindmost foot, as is current law.

Fortunately, the IRB has resisted the temptation to allow players off their feet to play the ball on the ground, making breakdowns and rucks a free-for-all, as some have suggested.

The initial feedback from those involved with the experimental laws in Australia and Scotland has been positive and it is hoped that New Zealand's experience will be similar.

It is unlikely that all these laws will be adopted by the IRB after the World Cup, and some others may be added, but the intention is very clear: simplify and clarify the game, making it more accessible for new fans. Ultimately this can only be good for rugby as a global sport.

Have the IRB got it right, or is there too much tinkering with the laws? Post a comment below or, better still, express your ideas in an article to Sportingo.