RUGBY UNION entered another phase yesterday and went the way of soccer and Rugby League when the council of the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) substantially changed the rules of substitution at a meeting in Rome yesterday.
The significant changes will allow substitutes in international and senior matches and will increase the number of replacements from four to six players. The whole bench of six replacements can now be fully utilised in the case of injuries, or, five of them can enter the game as substitutes at any time. One stipulation is, however, that two of these five substitutions can only be for front row players.
The decisions, which have been broadly welcomed, were announced by the IRFB chairman, Vernon Pugh, at the end of the three days council meeting. While replacements have traditionally been allowed for injured players, tactical substitutions have not been a recognised part of the game.
"By allowing substitutes an opportunity is being provided to enhance team performance. We also believe this decision makes the game more honest in that it addresses concerns about players feigning injuries," said Pugh yesterday.
He explained that substitutions could only take place with the permission of the referee and when play had been stopped.
"We will still have no more than six players on the bench for international matches, of whom two must still be front row forwards, and an individual who has been substituted will not be able to resume as a replacement in the event of injury, except in the case of a bleeding wound.
He added that should a situation develop where, for any reason, there were no longer sufficiently qualified front row players on the field, the referee would direct teams to move to uncontested scrums in the interests of safety.
"Safety remains a concern in a powerful contact sport that is played at pace with highly motivated athletes," said Pugh.
Former international Philip Danaher, currently a coach at Garryowen, welcomed the change.
"I think it's pretty significant. The selection of substitutes is now as high a priority as team selection. The strength of the bench will now become very important in deciding matches, not just the 15 players on the pitch.
"You would now be looking at a view of 20 guys playing rather than just the 15 players. You'd be looking at it more positively knowing that you can also play your substitutes if you need to.
Former Irish international centre Brendan Mull in was also positive.
"My honest reaction to it is that I'm not entirely surprised because it was in practice in some countries already, with France and some South African provincial sides coming to mind. The rule change gets the game away from that farcical situation.
"Games like soccer and GAA appear to be able to be more tactical but in rugby you select your 15 players and if one or two don't play well, then you're left with it. I think I'd be reasonably positive towards the change. It seems to be for the better and it also means that players and coaches will have to adjust as well."
In another safety related change, the IRFB has ruled that it will no longer be permissible to add players to the scrummage. This means that teams will not be able to bring extra players into the scrum to try and force a pushover try.
All of the changes will take effect on November 4th to allow for the completion of the Southern Hemisphere season and the pool matches in the European Rugby Cup.
