World Rugby announces key rule change

World Rugby has announced that tries will no longer be awarded when the ball is grounded against the protective padding around the post.
By Tom Vickers
Published 13th May 2020, 11:50 BST
Updated 13th May 2020, 11:52 BST
The ball can no longer be grounded against the protective padding on the postsThe ball can no longer be grounded against the protective padding on the posts
The ball can no longer be grounded against the protective padding on the posts

The tweak to Law 8, which becomes effective immediately, was approved following a recommendation from the governing body's laws review group.

A brief explainer cited a lack of uniformity between the size and shape of protectors in use and the danger of "extreme cases" where defending players have lifted or removed the padding to gain an advantage.

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World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont, recently re-elected following a challenge by Agustin Pichot, said: "World Rugby's mission is to make the game as simple, safe and enjoyable to play as possible. This law amendment reflects that mission.

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"By stipulating that an attacking team can no longer score against the post protector and therefore must ground the ball in-goal, this gives defending teams a fair chance of preventing a try from being scored."