From the start of this season there will be a global trial of the “crouch, bind, set” scrum engagement sequence, aimed at enhancing player welfare by reducing impact on engagement.

The International Rugby Board Council’s approval of the sequence, on player welfare grounds, comes with a call for game-wide commitment from lawmakers, match officials, coaches and players, to ensure a fair and positive attitude in dealing with scrum issues.

Implementation follows extensive evaluation of the sequence during the recent IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, which showed the potential for a more stable platform leading to fewer resets and more successful scrums.

Props will now be expected to crouch on the referee’s call, bind using their outside arm after the referee has called "bind". The front rows will maintain the bind until the referee calls “set”. At that point, the two packs will engage. These trial laws will be used in all forms and age groups of the game in England in the coming season.

Collective responsibility
The specialist IRB Scrum Steering Group, which includes Unions’ scrum experts, recommended the new sequence to the IRB Council after extensive testing and analysis at all levels of the game within the IRB-funded Scrum Forces Project run by the University of Bath in conjunction with the RFU.

The IRB will also instruct referees to ensure that the ball does not enter the tunnel unless the scrum is square and stationary and that a straight throw-in is strictly policed.

The RFU will be providing a game-wide educational process, featuring coach and match official workshops, from July so that everyone is fully informed for the new season. In preparation for the trial visit www.rfu.com/scrumtrial and or http://www.irblaws.com/crouchbindset Here you will find videos and full advice for all involved, whether players, coaches or referees.