The following Law amendments have been approved for global trial by the IRB Council. The implementation dates are the start of the Northern Hemisphere season at or around September 1st 2012 and the start of the Southern Hemisphere season at or around January 1st 2013. It is not intended that the a Union should implement the trial Law amendments mid season or mid competition. Unions will be given the opportunity to provide both quantitative and qualitative feedback on the trials.

Law 3 : Number of Players - The Team
3.4 Players nominated as substitutes
International teams permitted to nominate up to eight replacements

3.4 Players nominated as substitutes (Seven-a-side)
Sevens variation for replacements /substitutes - effective June 1 2012

Law 4 : Players' Clothing
GPS monitors may be worn

4.2 Special additional items for women
Female players allowed to wear tights

4.3 Studs
Specific sole configuration approved for trial

Law 6 : Match Officials
6.A.6 Referee consulting with others
Extension to the jurisdiction of the TMO

Law 9 : Method of Scoring
9.B.1 Taking a conversion kick
Conversions to be completed within 90 seconds of try

Law 12 : Knock-on or Throw forward
12.1 The outcome of a knock-on or throw forward
Quick throw-in after knock-on or throw forward

Law 16 : Ruck
16.7 Unsuccessful end to a ruck
Five seconds to play the ball from the back of the ruck

Law 19 : Touch and Lineout
19.2 Quick throw-in
Position of thrower at quick throw-in

Law 20 : Scrum
20.1 Forming a scrum
Changed scrum engagement sequence

Law 21 : Penalty and Free Kicks
21.4 Penalty and free kick options and requirements
Lineout alternative

Law application guidelines

Five Key Areas of Refereeing, June 2012
In 2009 the IRB HP Referees and Tier One Rugby Coaches agreed that the Laws of the Game of Rugby did not need to be changed but that five key areas of the game needed to be refereed more strictly. It was the belief that if these five key areas were refereed in strict accordance with Law then teams who wished to use the ball quickly and in space would be entitled to do so.

All areas of the tackle law to be strictly applied

Offsides at breakdown to be strictly policed

Zero tolerance to offsides from kicks to be strictly policed

Scrum

Maul

Enforcement of current Law, June 2012
At a meeting in May 2012, the Laws Representation Group (LRG) considered the areas of the Game where, it had been agreed by the LRG/Rugby Committee/IRB Council, Law amendments were not required but that current Law was to be enforced by match officials including:

Ball ripped from a ball carry not to be considered a knock-on

Offside when the ball is kicked to touch thereby preventing quick throw ins

Squeeze ball and the need to ensure the ball is immediately available