Mauls protected by ELV rejection

THE MAUL’S place at the heart of rugby is set to be preserved following a meeting of nearly 60 senior rugby stakeholders.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) conference — which featured coaches, referees, administrators and representatives from all the major unions — was called to discuss the global impact of experimental law variations (ELVs) currently being trialled.

After two days of detailed review, including statistics from over 800 matches in 15 different countries, a total of 10 ELVs were recommended to be passed into full law. But the two most controversial ELVs were not ratified.