What are the major changes in the law as the Rugby World Cup kicks off this week?
With the Rugby World Cup kicking off on Friday with a blockbuster clash between France and New Zealand, fans can expect some new laws to come into effect.
Many will have seen the new laws implemented during the Summer Nations Series leading up to the World Cup.
The main purpose of the changes made is to speed up the game with the ball in and out of play.
The introduction of a shot clock, the Bunker and a change in TMO’s implementation emphasize that many changes are taking place.
England fans will be familiar with the use of the Bunker, with Owen Farrell’s yellow card being upgraded to red in their comeback win over Wales in early August.
Owen Farrell saw his yellow card against Wales at the Bunker upgraded to red
In addition to these changes, referees can now issue a red card for intentional foul play.
Mail Sport provides an overview of the major changes and how they will affect the game.
What is the shot clock?
The most notable change at this year’s Rugby World Cup will be the introduction of the shot clock.
The goal here is to speed up the pace of the game and prevent teams from wasting a lot of time.
It gives players 90 seconds to make a conversion after a try is scored, while there are only 60 seconds to kick a penalty.
It also limits the time for lineouts and scrums to just 30 seconds, while the ball must be released from the ruck within 5 seconds.
Players like South African Manie Libbok have just 90 seconds to complete a conversion
What about the Bunker?
The second major change fans will notice is the bunker that was recently used during the Summer Nations Series.
The match official can consult the Foul Play Review Official stationed in the ‘Bunker’.
This can only be done if they cannot determine whether a possible incident of foul play is not obvious or obvious after two big screen replays.
The impact here is twofold: firstly, it prevents play from being stopped for an extended period of time while umpires try to reach a correct decision about an incident.
Secondly, after a yellow card has been given, it gives the Foul Play Review Official a longer period of time to decide whether a red card is necessary while the action on the pitch continues.
Billy Vunipola saw red after the TMO Bunker upgraded his yellow against Ireland
What are the changes at TMO?
The Television Match Official is the person who watches the match action on a TV screen, off the pitch.
They transmit information to the match official via an earpiece and can often be heard during an incident with the referee.
This year, TMOs can only suspend play to investigate serious or dangerous play
which may have been missed by the field umpire.
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