Brian O'Driscoll warns against dangers of rule trials 'sanitising' rugby

Brian O'Driscoll, a member of the International Rugby Players Board, stressed that rugby is a "gladiatorial" game and that the scrum, in particular, can't simply be diluted in the rush to get the sport back up and running.

Brian O'Driscoll has warned that rugby should not rush back to the field of play in the coming months if the game has to tinker too much with its DNA in the bid to satisfy new health and safety protocols.

World Rugby has today revealed a list of optional domestic law trials designed to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmissions, among them the scrapping of reset scrums, choke tackles, and an orange card for high tackles.