Details as to what World Rugby has on its agenda for the upcoming Shape of the Game conference have been revealed.<\/p>\n
Leading figures in the game will meet in the coming weeks to discuss the way forward for rugby union, particularly around law changes and implementation with the 2027 Rugby World Cup fast approaching.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not uncommon for such a conference to be held, but this one is particularly important, with any changes to the lawbook that need to be made sooner rather than later to allow for any kinks and for teams to adapt before the global tournament Down Under.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the meeting, two publications have revealed what is on World Rugby\u2019s<\/a> docket and what it is not.<\/p>\n Bomb Squads<\/p>\n According to a report by Times Sport<\/a>, the number of replacements will not be discussed despite claims that it is a player safety concern.<\/p>\n The importance of the impact off the bench in the modern game has been in the spotlight in recent years with the Springboks<\/a> popularising the \u2018Bomb Squad\u2019, which played a pivotal role in Rassie Erasmus\u2019 men winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups.<\/p>\n Former World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont is one of the high-profile detractors of the tactics, as he believes that fewer substitutions would open up the game in the latter stages and lead to more exciting spectacles.<\/p>\n Ireland legend Keith Wood has also called for a reduction in the number of replacements while ex-Scotland head coach Matt Williams has been the most vocal in his protests.<\/p>\n However, last year World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin revealed that the replacements don\u2019t pose a safety risk as so many claim.<\/p>\n \u201cWe looked at it from a science, medicine perspective. Was there a distinctive view that a bunch of fresh players coming on with 20\u201130 minutes to go is going to create a more injurious position, and the science said that\u2019s not the case,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo there was no reason from that perspective to look at how we might do replacements differently. Ultimately, there are a lot of different ways to win a rugby match.\u201d<\/p>\n Bomb Squad: The birth of the Springboks\u2019 explosive tactics, its copycats, detractors and controversies<\/a><\/p>\n Eddie Jones predicts \u2018crackdown\u2019 and calls on World Rugby to \u2018show leadership\u2019 after France denied Ireland a contest<\/a><\/p>\n World Rugby seem content with the findings from last year, with the report by The Times stating that the topic won\u2019t be revisited this year.<\/p>\n While South Africa may have pioneered the recent focus on the substitutes and the forward-heavy splits, the likes of England, Scotland, and France have also adopted them.<\/p>\n Additionally, the publication states that \u201cthe issue of props being given yellow cards simply for being continually outmuscled in scrums\u201d also won\u2019t be discussed.<\/p>\n The game between Ireland and South Africa last November resulted in outrage after the former had props Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy sent to the sin-bin after being dominated by the Bok front-row.<\/p>\n It was reported that Six Nations officials would discuss the sanction before the 2026 Championship, but those discussions seemingly won\u2019t continue into the World Rugby conference.<\/p>\n World Rugby boss \u2018absolutely refutes\u2019 claims of depowering the scrum with latest law trials<\/a><\/p>\n SA Rugby to take World Rugby to task over TMOs<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus\u2019 YouTube podcast has provided clear indications as to what SA Rugby will be wanting to discuss at the meeting with three episodes of Rassie+ all titled Shape of the Game.<\/p>\n Felix Jones will present the Springboks\u2019 case at the meeting, according to a report by Afrikaans publication Rapport<\/a> and will be joined by CEO Rian Oberholzer and GM of High Performance Dave Wessels.<\/p>\n The report states that the role and powers of the TMO (Television Match Official) will be discussed at the meeting, with the likes of New Zealand and Australia eager to limit its influence, while SA Rugby are placing more importance on ensuring the right outcome.<\/p>\n The publication cites several sources who \u2018strongly believe\u2019 that there is nothing wrong with the TMO process currently in place but one source said, \u2018There should be more invested in the staff\u2019.<\/p>\n