Rugby is not an easy sport to follow at the best of times and in the last year or so, we have seen several new laws introduced – all with the aim of speeding up the game.
It takes a little bit of time for players to adjust to the changes, so I can totally understand why some fans find it hard to keep up with the latest regulations.
In fact, I was in a meeting with my Toulon team-mates before we played Harlequins earlier this month and almost all of us had forgotten one of the new laws!
We talk all the time in rugby about growing the game and making it more appealing to new audiences. But to do that, we need consistency.
The changes have been made for the right reasons, but I do think that constantly altering things could turn some fans away from watching.
For the 2025 Six Nations, there are five important new regulations to look out for, so here’s my explanation of what we’re likely to see in the coming weeks – and which teams can take advantage…
The 2025 iteration of the Six Nations will kick off on Friday evening when France face Wales
Ban on ‘escort runners’
This first came into international rugby last November and it’s not an exaggeration to say it has had a hugely significant impact on the game.
In the past, when one team kicked clear, the defending team could help ensure the player catching the ball had an easier task by protecting them from opposition challengers.
They would do that by running back towards him along the line of the opponent’s run, so long as they didn’t deliberately change their direction of travel. Now, that is outlawed.
What it’s done is effectively increase the competitiveness of the contest for the ball in the air. It’s made a real difference.
In the past, if you were box kicking from a ruck, you were effectively just giving the ball away because the rules made it easier for the opposition to collect under less pressure. Now, it’s far easier for defensive chasers to get to the catcher and compete with him for possession in a one-on-one battle.
The rule particularly suits players like Freddie Steward and Liam Williams who are brilliant in the air. It was also a strong part of my game, so I’d certainly have enjoyed it!
This rule is a big reason why I think England have selected Steward at full-back against Ireland ahead of Marcus Smith. The same applies for Williams with Wales.
It also potentially explains part of the reasoning why Wales have left out Cameron Winnett from their squad. Winnett is quite small for a full-back and the new rules mean that’s not ideal.
England’s Freddie Steward should benefit hugely from the new ban on escort runners
Liam Williams is another maestro in the air who will be able to go after Wales’ kicks now
Increased competition for the ball in the air means you are likely to see more transition between possession and a greater breakup of the game, which should lead to more attacking rugby. I think it’s a good rule. I only wish I was still around to benefit!
Protecting the nine
Scrum-halves are always moaning… but this new law has done them a favour!
Greater protection of the scrum-half at the base of rucks, mauls and scrums has been brought in to enable quicker play and lessen stoppages.
We already know scrum-halves have to play the ball from the breakdown within five seconds and that’s been a positive move. But where I think you’ll see this rule change things in the Six Nations is at the scrum.
Before it was introduced, at a scrum, a defending scrum-half could put as much pressure as they liked on the attacking team’s No 8 or No 9 at the base of the set-piece, so long as they stayed behind the ball.
That would generally mean they could disrupt the attacking team’s possession by putting their foot in the way or by making a tackle.
Danny Care was always particularly good at this. It made me laugh when I heard him say the other day they’ve taken away the only thing he’s been good at for the last 20 years!
Now, the rules state the defending scrum-half can’t go further than the middle of the scrum. That means they’re not able to put on as much pressure, so there’s no real reason why the ball shouldn’t go away from the set-piece.
Antoine Dupont will be a big beneficiary of this change – not that the France star needs help!
Former England international Danny Care would have loved this new rule protecting scrum-halves from pressure
The result of that is you are likely to see more completed scrum attacks. As a No 10, it’s brilliant because you’re going to get cleaner ball and you’ll have more time to assess your options. Even if it’s just a split-second longer, that makes all the difference in international rugby.
However, the flip side of the defending scrum-half being able to put less pressure on is that he will now most likely fill the defensive line, making it even harder for the attacking to team to cut through.
It essentially means the defending team has an extra back to work with. That’s why I think you’ll see a lot of short-sided plays from scrums, where the attacking team will look to cause a surprise.
The rule will really suit the quickest attacking nines like Antoine Dupont, Tomos Williams of Wales, and England’s Harry Randall.
20-minute red cards
I’ll be honest. I’m not a massive fan of this.
This will be the first Six Nations in which this law variation is used after it was trialled last autumn. Players sent off for technical offences can be replaced after 20 minutes have elapsed in an initiative designed to punish individual players and not teams.
Referees can still award full and permanent red cards for deliberate and dangerous acts of foul play. The reason I don’t like this is I still think a lot of decisions on red cards can be very subjective.
Referees are only human, so they all have slightly different interpretations. I think the 20-minute red card allows referees to err on the side of caution. It makes their job easier. It gives them an out from making the big calls.
Semi Radaradra (left) was shown a yellow card and then a 20-minute red card for this tackle
When Wales played Fiji in the autumn, Semi Radradra tackled Winnett high. He was shown a yellow initially, which was then upgraded via the bunker review system to a 20-minute red.
This is a good example of what I mean. If the 20-minute red card wasn’t an option for that game, I think Radradra would have been sent off immediately for what in my view was foul play, and then he wouldn’t have been able to be replaced.
These sorts of differences might seem small, but they make a big difference.
Shot clock on kicks at goal
There is now a 60-second time limit on kickers when going for goal from either a penalty or conversion. As a No 10, I absolutely hate this!
That amount of time is fine for a penalty because you have the ball in your hands and the minute only starts when you put it on the tee. However, it’s different for a conversion.
If you score a brilliant try, you can’t get involved in the team celebrations as a kicker because you have to be wary of the time.
Having 60 seconds is fine if the kick is easy and straight in front, but not if you’re outside the 15.
As a kicker, you don’t want to rush your process. I’d definitely have been timed out, especially if this rule was in place at the 2015 World Cup when my exaggerated ‘Biggarena’ kicking routine got plenty of press coverage!
I got my fair share of stick during my international career for dragging out the kicking process
Kickers hate anything that disrupts their shot at goal, and definitely don’t want to be rushed
There’s another thing too. The irony of this rule is that it’s been designed to speed up the game, but in some cases it’s actually slowing it down.
We’ve seen some teams score a try when they’re down to 14 men and then deliberately use up the whole 60 seconds for the conversion to waste time when previously, they would have just knocked it over and got on with the game.
I don’t blame the players for doing that, but it’s a teething problem that needs to be sorted out.
More power to the TMO
The protocol of the television match official has been revised, meaning they now have the power to identify clear and obvious infringements in the final attacking passage of play before scoring.
This is a positive. I can understand why rugby fanatics get frustrated with endless replays and time delays, but ultimately we all want the right decision to be reached.
Referees should not get a free pass to just refer decisions to their TMO assistants
If it takes a little while to do that, then fine. What is a serious problem is when all the endless cameras and replays are used and the wrong call is still made.
We can’t have that. Like the 20-minute red card, more power to the TMO allows referees a free pass. They can rely more on their assistant.
The other thing that was a huge positive in the autumn was the referee being able to speak to the crowd via his mic.
It was a bit like the NFL and it keeps the fans in the stadium engaged, informed and knowledgeable which is what you want… even if you disagree with the decision!
