IRB no longer 'pausing'
The sequence of words that gets a scrum down has changed - at least for a trial period. Gone is Pause, which will win applause around the world.
For the testing period there will be just three words: Crouch. Touch. Set. This change has, according to the International Rugby Board, the 'unanimous backing from the IRB's expert Scrum Steering Group'.
The trial, which will incorporate the sequence “crouch, touch, set”, was approved at a meeting of the specialist group - made up of Union and players' representatives, former players and other experts - in Bristol, England, last month.
The sequence will see the front rows crouch then touch and using their outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing prop’s outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call “set” when the front rows are ready. The front rows may then set the scrum.
This sequence was one of six that were extensively researched at six different levels of the game, including Women’s Rugby, as part of the initial trial process. “Crouch, touch, set” was found to be the most successful and will now be trialled on a global level.
IRB Rugby Committee Chairman and former New Zealand captain Graham Mourie said: “Most people accept the scrum is currently a problematic area of the game, accounting for roughly 17 per cent of match time in elite Rugby and with more than 50 per cent of scrums resulting in collapses or resets.”
The IRB is committed to addressing these issues and has tasked the specialist steering group to identify the causes and solutions. This is a positive first step, but it should be noted that we must wait for the outcomes of the three-year Scrum Forces Project before we can take an holistic approach to the scrum.”
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The scrum is a complex, dynamic area and it was very clear from the advice and expertise evaluated by the Scrum Steering Group that there is no quick and easy fix. There are many contributing factors and we need to take a complete view of the scrum environment including engagement, Laws, forces and player welfare.”
“I would like to thank all Unions for their continued commitment to the important process of improvement in this area and their full support of this initial trial. I would also like to thank the RFU for their ongoing support of the Scrum Forces Project in Bath.”
David Barnes, International Rugby Players’ Association (IRPA) representative on the Scrum Steering Group and Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) Rugby Manager, said: “The number of scrum resets in the elite Game has reached an unprecedented level and the new three-step process is a significant advance in trying to address the issue. As the IRPA player representative on the Scrum Steering Group, players will have input to any potential changes being considered.”
“Whilst it is vital for the scrum to remain an integral, combative element of the Game, the players fully support the IRB research into reducing the number of resets, while also ensuring player welfare remains the key priority.”
Didier Retière, France’s Rugby World Cup 2011 forwards coach, current France Under-20 coach and Scrum Steering Group member, said: “As coaches and players we have a collective responsibility to buy in to this process and work together to address issues at scrum time. Graham Rowntree, RFU forwards coach, said: “We need to have less collapses and resets and anything that can improve this vital part of our Game should be applauded. I will be very interested to see how the trial goes.”
The unprecedented IRB-funded three-year study is being run by the Sport, Health & Exercise Science group at the University of Bath in collaboration with the RFU and is intended to identify better playing, coaching and refereeing techniques for this key facet of the Game.
The Scrum Steering Group comprises: David Barnes (IRPA), Mike Cron (NZRU), Didier Retière (FFR), Brian O'Shea (ARU), Norm Mottram (USA Rugby), Richie Dixon (GRU), Ken Quarrie (NZRU), Graham Mourie (Chairman of IRB Rugby Committee), John Jeffrey (IRB Council Member & SRU), Gavin Williams (RFU), Dr Martin Raftery (IRB Chief Medical Officer), Paddy O'Brien (IRB Referee Manager).
Scrum Forces Project Group consists of the Scrum Steering Group plus the following: Keith Stokes (University of Bath), Dr Mike England (RFU), Colin Fuller (IRB Risk Management Consultant), Grant Trewartha (University of Bath), Ezio Preatoni (University of Bath).