New kicking law will increase excitement

I was really looking forward to seeing the results of the World Rugby law experiment ‘50:22’, but the abandonment of the season has put paid to any meaningful data coming back from this year’s trials.

- SHANE WILLIAMS

They were due to use it across the world in Australia’s National Rugby Championship, in Global Rapid Rugby, America’s Rugby Championship and the Top 12 in Italy. Covid-19 has put paid to that, but I’m sure the trials will lead to it being integrated into the game in the not too distant future. I think it will be a good thing that will change the face of professional rugby.

I know that fellow Rugby Paper columnist Jeremy Guscott has his reservations, and believes the scrum is the thing that needs changing most, but from the perspective of a winger, I’m excited to see what extra space it might open up on the field.

If the team in possession kicks the ball from inside their own half indirectly into touch inside their opponents’ 22 or from inside their own 22 into their opponents’ half, they will throw into the resultant lineout.