As part of plans to speed up the game in 2023, a World Cup year, World Rugby will encourage elite competitions to have a shot clock for penalties and conversions starting on January 1. Sanctions will be issued for wasting time.
The rules have been planned by the worldwide overseeing body to assist with matching authorities.
, players and mentors and to further develop fan experience following a gathering of partners in November. France will host the World Cup in 2019. Read the whole thing.
World Rugby officials were reminded to follow existing regulations, such as requiring players to kick conversions within 90 seconds of a try being scored. The kick could be disallowed for any delay.
Any delays will result in kicks being disallowed and scrums being awarded, so penalty kicks must be taken within 60 seconds of a team’s announcement.
If players waste time, teams fail to form the lineout in time, or the scrum is not formed within 30 seconds of the mark being made, free kicks may be awarded.
The current TMO protocol’s goal of identifying and ensuring that clear and obvious offenses are dealt with on the field was also reiterated to match officials.
The Premiership club announced on Tuesday that Scotland international Finn Russell will join Bath following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Russell played for Racing 92 for four years, scoring 272 points in 66 games and helping the team reach the Champions Cup final in 2020, where they were defeated by Exeter Chiefs.
The fly-half has made 65 appearances for Scotland, but he was benched by coach Gregor Townsend for their Autumn Nations Series game before being called back for their match with New Zealand. He has also traveled with the British and Irish Lions on two occasions.
“To have the option to join such a memorable, very much upheld club is truly energizing,” Russell said in a proclamation.
With the goal of returning Bath to the top of the Premiership and competing for domestic and European titles, now is the time for a new challenge in a new league.”
Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence, and Alfie Barbeary, all of whom have recently pledged their futures to Bath under head rugby coach Johann van Graan, will team up with Russell.
Van Graan went on to say, “Finn is a world-class player who will significantly add to our squad on and off the field.”
With three victories in nine games this season, Bath is eighth in the Premiership. They last won the English top flight in 1996. In both 2004 and 2015, they came in second place.
The World Cup will begin in France in September and conclude on October 28.