ELVs
The information below will be of interest to all rugby followers
- please note:-
On 1st May 2008 the IRB Council decided to trial a number
of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) in the Northern Hemisphere in the 2008/2009
season. The ELVs relating to the playing of the game cover the corner
flags, taking the ball into your own 22, pulling down the maul and the offside
lines at the scrum. The ELVs will apply to Elite (including international
matches played in the Northern Hemisphere) and Community Rugby. The Laws of the
Game, unless specifically amended by the ELVs, remain unaltered.The ELVs
summarised (full details can be found on the RFU website rfu.com) Assistant
referees (touch-judges)
Assistant referees can assist referees in any manner
required when appointed by a match organiser Post and Flags around the
field
The corner posts are no longer considered to be in touch in-goal
except when a ball is grounded by a player against the post Lineout and
throw
If a team puts the ball back into their own 22 and the ball is subsequently
kicked directly into touch by that team there is no gain of ground and the lineout
will be formed opposite the point from where the ball was kicked A quick
throw may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team's own goal-line There
is no restriction on the maximum number of players who can participate in a lineout
from either side subject to a minimum of two The first receiver from a lineout
(usually the scrum-half) must stand at least two metres away from the lineout The
player in opposition to the player throwing in the ball (usually the hooker) may
stand in the area between the 5 metre line and touch line but must be 2 metres
away from the lineout Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball
is thrown in The lifting of lineout jumpers is permitted Maul
Players
are able to defend a maul by pulling it down The reference in the Laws to
heads and shoulders to be not lower than hips is removed. Scrum
The
offside line at a scrum will be 5 metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum Scrum
halves must be in close proximity to the scrum (as present Law) or must retreat
5 metres. | 
