Tuesday 12 May 2020 17:08, UK
World Rugby has announced it will no longer be possible to score a try by grounding the ball against the base of the post protector.
The amendment to Law 8 was approved by the World Rugby Council during its special meeting held via teleconference and follows a recommendation by the international federation's Rugby Committee and specialist Laws Review Group.
With defending players currently legally obliged to stay behind the goal-line and post-protector shape and size increasing for welfare reasons, it is increasingly difficult for teams to legally defend this area.
In some extreme cases, post protectors have been lifted or moved by defending teams, leaving the posts exposed and therefore increasing the risk of injury.
The amended law will now read: The post protector is no longer an extension of the goal-line and therefore Law 8.2 (a) will read: A try is scored when the attacking player a) is first to ground the ball in the opponents' in-goal.
Recently re-elected World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: "World Rugby's mission is to make the game as simple, safe and enjoyable to play as possible. This law amendment reflects that mission.
"By stipulating that an attacking team can no longer score against the post protector and therefore must ground the ball in-goal, this gives defending teams a fair chance of preventing a try from being scored.
Meanwhile, World Rugby continues to monitor further law trials, which have been implemented with enhancing player welfare in mind. They will resume when rugby resumes.
Initial feedback for the 50:22 and the below the waist tackle are said to be encouraging.
