As you may be aware, the World Rugby Council has approved four Global Law Trials (GLTs) following successful trials in closed competitions earlier last year. While these changes will be introduced for some competitions and leagues starting in January 2025, please note that these adjustments will NOT be adopted in the community game across all age groups in Wales until the start of the 2025/26 season.

For clarity, the Global Law Trials are as follows:

Quicker conversions – The time allowed is reduced to 60 seconds (previously 90 seconds).
Time to form a lineout – Lineouts must be formed within 30 seconds (already in law for scrums).
Clean play away from the ruck, maul, or scrum – Greater emphasis will be placed on ensuring fair play in these areas.
Uncontested lineouts – If the throw is not straight, play will continue.

Further details will be communicated at the end of this season regarding how these trials will be refereed. Additionally, there will be a module on the new trials at the summer conferences. Match Officials officiating at SRC and Celtic Challenge levels have already been briefed.

Application in the Elite Game

From 1st January 2025, these changes will apply exclusively to the elite game. In the United Rugby Championship (URC), implementation will begin from Round 10. The following competitions will be adopting the Global Law Trials:

Super Rygbi Cymru
Celtic Challenge
URC (from Round 10)
EPCR
World Rugby
RAG
BUCS (TBC)

Please note once again that these adjustments will NOT be adopted in the community game across all age groups in Wales until the start of the 2025/26 season.