Former referee boss for the IRFU Owen Doyle has taken aim at the law trials in one particular area and has urged World Rugby to address the matter.<\/p>\n
The governing body has introduced amendments to the lineout since the start of 2025, including a shot clock and allowing play to continue if a not straight throw fails to be contested by the defending team.<\/p>\n
If the opponent goes up and it\u2019s not straight, then the previous law applies, but the new idea is designed to keep the game moving when there is no contest.<\/p>\n
More mauling<\/p>\n
World Rugby<\/a> also possibly hoped that it would bring about more creative attacks off the top of the lineout, but Doyle does not believe that it has had the desired effect.<\/p>\n In fact, the former Test referee believes that mauling has become even more prevalent since the changes and has called on the bigwigs to take action.<\/p>\n \u201cThe current global trial for the lineout is showing serious cracks, a fact which backs up the necessity of adhering to the trialling process,\u201d Doyle wrote in his Irish Times column.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s the problem with the lineout. The team throwing in the ball drops several men out of the lineout as the ball is thrown. This is contrary to law but, apparently, nobody cares.<\/p>\n \u201cThese players then drive on their catcher as he lands on the ground. It creates more mauling, instead of fast ball \u2018off the top\u2019 going quickly to the scrum-half, who then releases the backs.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not too late for this trial to be voted down, to ensure that the lineout is a structured contest for possession \u2013 which is what it\u2019s supposed to be \u2013 and that is enshrined in the charter of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n