IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset

I welcomed the decision by the IRB Council in 2004 to review the Laws of the Game following recommendations that came out of the Conference on the Playing of the Game that was held in Auckland after Rugby World Cup 2003.
Subsequently, a lot of hard work has been undertaken by an IRB Laws Project Group which has studied a group of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) with the assistance of a number of our Member Unions. This ongoing co-operation is much appreciated.
Following this unprecedented work, Council has now approved a global trial at all levels of the Game of certain Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) beginning on August 1, 2008. This decision to implement a global trial represents an important milestone for the future of the Game.
The trial will involve 13 ELVs that have been undergoing practical on field experimentation in approved tournaments around the world over the last two years. This guide introduces these 13 ELVs.
The Laws Project Group will closely monitor the global trial over the next 12 months with the assistance of Member Unions. Then, next year, Council will review all the ELVs that will have undergone trials before deciding if all or any of the ELVs should be accepted into full Law.

Bernard Lapasset
Chairman, International Rugby Board
15th May 2008

Click here for the IRB ELV Guide