New Year 2025 Laws Update

We trust that you have had a peaceful Christmas break, as we look forward to the resumption of the community game on the 4th of January there are a couple of quick announcements have come through from the RFU laws team.

The first is confirmation that the global law trials announced by World Rugby will come into force on the 1st July. These law trials have been shared widely on social media [“play on at uncontested not straight”, adjustment to shot clocks and protection for the scrum half] so to emphasise, these will not be in force during the ongoing season. (This is consistent with previous precedents and more information about implementation will be shared ahead of the 25/26 season)

The second announcement is a clarification/focus piece aroound “Escort Runners” and obstruction, this is to be enforced immediately and details can be found in this collection of videos – https://rise.articulate.com/share/oLfTBBMfsJxdgcHohIKrhfb5xIK6Lmqo?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0j7dzoFMmQ3QuqpFY3mqwMZi3ASeZO7V0D2JwKR0yFGxHarwkmgZxKIJw_aem_YE6yL9XETdHGfslF7RKFrg#/.

The impact of this clarification is likely to be minimal on the community game, but please note the piece around players loitering/obstructing in front of kickers, as we do occasionally see players adopt these positions “accidentlly on purpose”.

As we get going again, please remember to keep the SELL principles at the heart of all your refereeing and the domestic law variation’s (tackle height) role in ensuring the safety of all participants.