Five new rules focused on improving player welfare are set to be written into law by World Rugby as of July 1.
The laws in question have been on trial in both hemispheres since August 2021, and a World Rugby Council voted unanimously in favour of the five being adopted. This means the set will be in full effect at the Women's World Cup in New Zealand later this year, as well as the men's equivalent at France 2023.
Among those laws cemented are the 50:22—rewarding the attacking team with a line-out if they kick from their own half into the enemy 22' (with at least one bounce in-field)—and the goal-line drop-out. The other trials deemed successful relate to the restriction of players pre-latching onto ball carriers, as well as tighter controls over clear-out height at the ruck and contact area.
