World Rugby has announced a series of law applications which will be implemented from January 2023 aimed at speeding up the game.

The guidelines – which are designed to assist match officials, players and coaches and to enhance fan experience – come following a Shape of the Game Conference in November.

Greater emphasis will be placed on a “shot clock”, incorporating it into both the broadcast and on-screen at stadiums, while referees and players have been reminded of the 90-second time limit on conversions and 60-second limit on penalties.

Along with this, World Rugby has emphasised that lineouts should be formed without delay, while scrums must be ready to form within 30 seconds of the mark being made.

Match officials have been encouraged to reduce their reliance on the Television Match Official.

“There was excellent debate at the Shape of the Game conference on this topic, including leading match officials, coaches and player representatives,” World Rugby director of rugby Phil Davies said.

“It was agreed that reviews can often take too long, suggesting the offence being reviewed is not clear and obvious. While we can always enhance the technology interaction to speed up the process, the match official teams – led by the referee – should attempt to make speedier decisions and limit replays where not necessary.”

There has also been a change to the heavily-debate water-carrier protocol. World Rugby has done away with specific windows for water breaks and, instead, water will only be allowed on the field after a try has been scored. If there are no tries, then natural stoppages will be used.

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