World Rugby Council has today voted unanimously to adopt five global trials into full law from 1 July, which will feature in the upcoming Test matches.

The five laws include the 50/22 kick, goal-line dropout, the sanctioning of pre-bound pods of players or the ‘flying wedge’, lower limb cleanouts and latching.

The 50/22 kick refers to when a team in possession kicks the ball from inside their own half indirectly into touch inside their opponents’ 22-metre area and are rewarded with the throw into the subsequent lineout.

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A goal-line dropout is awarded to the defending team when an attacking player, who brings the ball over the tryline, is held up.

Players dropping their weight onto the ‘jackler’ or targeting that player’s lower limbs will be sanctioned with a penalty.

Finally, a one-person latch will be permitted, but that player must observe all the requirements of the first arriving player at the breakdown, particularly the need to remain on their feet.

Added to this, the scrum brake foot, trialled in this year’s Six Nations Championships to prevent ‘axial loading’, will move from a closed to global trial, meaning it will also feature at the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2022 and 2023.

“It is our mission to ensure that the laws are the best that they can be for everyone playing the game and the approval of these laws following detailed evaluation and widespread consultation, underscores that commitment,” World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said.

The world champions are set to host Wales in a three-Test series beginning on 2 July.

QUIZ: Can you name the last Springbok team to host Wales in 2014?

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