Former British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland believes that World Rugby could make amendments to provide clarity in two key areas of the game.<\/p>\n
The 62-year-old has revealed that he did some work with the governing body\u2019s match officials during the Lions tour to Australia, jokingly stating that he has gone over to the \u201cdark side\u201d.<\/p>\n
Gatland<\/a> admitted that it has given him a \u201cwhole new perspective\u201d on refereeing, which is perhaps in contrast to his time as a coach where frustration might have been the order of the day.<\/p>\n Gatland\u2019s law suggestions<\/p>\n Having had that experience earlier in the year and also continued to take an interest in how the game is developing, the ex-Wales boss has two proposals for World Rugby<\/a>.<\/p>\n The first centres around the breakdown and what the players must do when they have been tackled.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a player is tackled and brought to the ground \u2013 even by an ankle tackle \u2013 I think they should be forced to release the ball and have to get back on their feet before playing it again, even if they are not held,\u201d Gatland wrote in his Telegraph<\/a> column.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it would speed up the game, because the tackler knows he can release the ball-carrier straight away, then immediately roll out of the way and get back onto his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cCurrently, there is a bit of confusion. A tackler can hear from a referee that the ball-carrier is not held, but then if he holds on too long, he can be penalised for not releasing and not rolling out of the way. Tweaking it would get rid of any confusion.\u201d<\/p>\n Debating Tadhg Beirne\u2019s \u2018style of game gone\u2019 claim: The 35.8% statistic that backs up Ireland star\u2019s argument<\/a><\/p>\n Gatland\u2019s second suggested amendment revolves around kicking but not the high ball, which last year saw the removal of \u2018escorts\u2019 when competing in the air.<\/p>\n Although the coaching great is undecided as to whether that has been a positive or a negative for the game, he is much more certain on the 50\/22.<\/p>\n While he likes the law in itself, he thinks that World Rugby can make it easier for the officials.<\/p>\n \u2018Can be further improved\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cCurrently, a team is rewarded with the throw-in to a line-out if a player kicks the ball from their own half and it bounces into touch inside the opponent\u2019s 22-metre area,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has been a really good innovation and one that not only encourages attacking kicks but also creates more space by forcing defenders to cover the backfield, opening up gaps in the defensive line.<\/p>\n