After a recent chat with a member of the IRB – who shall remain nameless – it was interesting to see learn more detail of the new Experimental Law Variations and the possible timetable for their implementation. This was a brief chance encounter and the conversation did not last long; however, my immediate impression is that if all ELVs are fully implemented, the scrum and to a lesser extent ruck and maul will be altered and thus the whole character of the game will change – and not for the better in my view.

There are some excellent variations in the package and I will be delighted to see them incorporated into Law at the earliest opportunity.

• “The offside line for players who are not in the scrum and who are not the team's scrum half, is five metres behind the hindmost foot of the scrum.”

This will create more space and thus more attacking opportunities – bring it on !

• “When a defending player receives the ball outside the 22-metre line and passes, puts, or takes the ball back inside the 22, the following can occur:-
  

• 1) If the ball is then kicked directly into touch, the lineout is in line with where the ball was kicked.
  

• 2) If a tackle, ruck or maul is subsequently formed or an opponent plays the ball and the ball is then kicked directly into touch, the lineout is where the ball crossed the line of touch.”

This should allow the attacking side to put more pressure on the defending side and create more opportunities to score tries – no problem.

Many other parts of the ELVs are minor, insignificant adjustments or common sense and the opportunity for better policing of the breakdown should allow for greater continuity of possession. The lineout has been tinkered with but in essence remains the lineout as we know it, nonetheless.

'To the thousands of normal players who turn out week after week and who do not possess huge strength, boundless fitness levels etc., the game will degenerate and will rapidly lose the interest of those who play currently'

I know the ELVs have been tested in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and England at various but mostly pretty junior levels and that the Super 14 will be using them this coming season. But I believe some of the ELVs, if made permanent, will take the game rapidly downhill; provide a 'Cheats Charter' and for me takes on a definite odour of Gum Leaves.

Now I love the Aussies. I’ve lived there and visit regularly but when it comes to Rugby Union, this sport come a very poor third behind Rugby League and Australian Rules Football. The ARU took a great decision a short while back by awarding the additional Super 14 franchise to Western Australia but the bottom line is that overall, they struggle to get the TV coverage and the revenue that this generates. Consequently, it is in their interests to get the game changed by de-powering or neutering the scrum to create a greater interest in Rugby Union. Have you seen a RL scrum? It’s an insult to the word.

I use the expression Cheats Charter because you will be allowed to handle the ball in the ruck, provided you are on your feet. Does this now legalise the slowing down of the ball in a ruck and/or mean a greater number of broken fingers/hands and/or rucks being made into mauls ?