The game’s governing body announced last month a detailed plan aimed at speeding up the game with a tranche of law amendments, all of which they claim will help make the game a more viable spectacle for the watching public.
Those potential changes, which will be voted on by World Rugby’s council next month, include 20-minute red cards, the abolition of a scrum option from a free-kick, as well as ‘Dupont’s’ offside law. They will also see a specialist working group set up to examine the results of the community tackle-height trials across 11 unions and their ‘appropriateness for elite rugby’.
The plan has caused much debate among the rugby world in recent weeks and Baxter, the Exeter Chiefs director of rugby, was not shy in coming forward when asked to give his take on the proposals.
“We’re trying to grow the game, yet there’s no sport in the world that tries to grow by confusing new supporters every 12 months,” he said. “We need to stop changing the laws. The game was fine three or four years ago – and we didn’t need to change it then.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Chiefs fight hard but Bath go back to top
THIS was a rare ugly match in the Premiership as Bath returned to the top of the table and Exeter’s losing run stretched to seven league matches.
Pepper praise for Underhill
SAM Underhill was one of Guy Pepper’s idols growing up and he’s now enjoying learning from him in person at Bath.
We can't compete with the big dogs, admits Diamond
STEVE Diamond will be putting young players on long-term contracts to protect Newcastle from the greater spending power of every other club in the Premiership.
Tough for clubs to get permission for 10,001
I HAVE every sympathy with my old friend Simon Halliday, the outgoing Chairman of the Championship Board, and the Championship clubs having read his comments in Nick Cain's article in TRP last Sunday.
Don't be in awe of 'The System'
AS a long-time England supporter I feel compelled to express my concerns about the performances and results of our team.
Scotland must not waste potential
N assessment of where Scotland and England are after the autumn series, with another Calcutta Cup clash to come at Twickenham in the middle of the Six Nations, is an interesting comparison. It's made even more pointed by competition for places on the 2025 Lions tour.
Boks going to need a bigger trophy cabinet...
Peter Jackson looks back on a season where, once again, South Africa proved to be the best team on the planet
150th party nearly ends in tears for sloppy Irish
IT'S been a pretty scruffy autumn for Ireland and that trend continued in Dublin yesterday when they squeezed out a win against an Australia side that probably deserved better for their efforts.
I'm still a crazy little man on the pitch, says Sheedy
CALLUM Sheedy has revealed how being his own biggest critic drives him on amid the quest for perfection. Cardiff's Welsh international flyhalf is now more than a decade into his career, but admits he is still \"a crazy little man\" out on the field.
Saints are looking to kick-start campaign
NORTHAMPTON last season used the Champions Cup to turbo charge their Premiership campaign and will be looking for a repeat when European rugby’s top club tournament starts this weekend.
