Referee Pascal Gauzere. Picture: Paul Ellis, AFP
THREE innovative law variations have been approved by World Rugby for use in the the inaugural Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup – red card replacements, captain’s challenge and goal-line drop-outs.
The law trials have been approved by World Rugby for a competition which involves Irish, Italian, South African, Scottish and Welsh sides and starts on April 23.
Replacement for a red carded player will be allowed after 20 minutes, while each team is allowed one captain’s challenge in the match. These can be used for try-scoring and foul play incidents, or to challenge any refereeing decision in the last five minutes of a match.
Thirdly, a drop-out will also be taken from anywhere on the goal line for ‘held-up over the line’, knock-ons that occur in goal or when the ball is grounded by a defending player in the in-goal area after a kick through.