Scrum Law changes - law 20.1(h)

The IRB Council has approved a change to the Law that governs the scrum from 1 January, 2007.

This follows a review of the scrum by the IRB Rugby Committee and its Law Project Group following recommendations made by the IRB’s Medical Committee.

The Law change will see the implementation of a four stage “crouch, touch, pause, engage” sequence for the initial scrum engagement at all levels of the Game from 1 January, 2007.

law 20.1(h) Rewrite as:

The referee will call "Crouch" then "Touch". The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing props outside shoulder. The props will then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call "Pause". Following a pause the referee will then call "Engage".

The IRB have produced a Series of Example Videos to explain the new Rules (wmv format)

From the Law change it is evident there are now four distinct and separate instructions. Referees should ensure they do not start the engagement process until both scrums are stationary and balanced.

The scrums must remain stationary throughout the four instructions, if the scrum becomes unstable at any stage during the sequence the referee shall blow his whistle and ask the front rows to stand and restart the process, unless the referee deems one side has wilfully offended, in which case they will be penalised.

Engaging The Front Rows
Before commencing the sequence the referee shall mark with his foot the place where the scrum is to be formed.

Crouch
The referee shall not call crouch immediately but wait to witness how both scrums form up, it known from experience some sides will go to a full crouch early, it is at this stage the referee will call CROUCH. If a side on the referees instruction fail to crouch in a horizontal position that side renders themselves liable to a penalty.

Touch
On the call of the referee, not before, all four props using their outside arms shall touch the point of the outside shoulder of their opposing prop before withdrawing their arms.
Players are reminded that the touch sequence is not a race, the referee will not move onto the next instruction until satisfied all four props have adhered to the Touch sequence. Props who fail or refuse to touch in the agreed manner render themselves liable to penalty. Touch Judges are reminded they have a responsibility to advise the referee of any player failing to comply with the instruction.

Pause
Players have to remain stationary and balanced throughout this element of the sequence, referees will penalise players who he believes wilfully destabilised the scrum, thus slowing down the process.

Engage
The final phase of the sequence, the instruction for the players to come together, should players refuse to engage or engage before the instruction they will render themselves liable to penalty.

Conclusion
All participants (players, coaches and referees) have a responsibility to create as safe a playing environment as possible. The iRB believe this Law change will reduce the impact at the engagement and with forwards at the correct height we will see an associated improvement in the bind which it is hoped will minimise the number of collapsed scrums.,

At present great concern has been raised regarding the length of time front rows are asked to remain in the crouched position. While sympathising with this view, to ensure referees apply the new law coherently and effectively players and coaches alike MUST ensure they accept the principle; the referee will control the engagement of the scrum.