Big changes especially at the scrum my thoughts in brackets and if someone knows if they will be coming in for us next season be good to know. I reckon they will need a lot of work on training paddock and i really hope they change their minds about the collapsed scrum, as this will only end one way - just a matter of will it be months or a few years before someone gets paralysed before its changed back.
The replacement of a player injured following foul play does not count as one of the allotted number of replacements available to that team (makes sense to me)
Advantage may be played following a scrum collapse, if there is no risk to player safety (makes sense at first reading but thinking about it i can see this changing back after a bad incident were the ref thought it was safe and ended up in spinal injury)
Play acting or “simulation” is specifically outlawed in the game in a move that formalises resistance to a practice that has been creeping into the game in recent years. Any player who dives or feigns injury in an effort to influence the match officials will be liable for sanction (about time hate seeing this - be a brave ref to call it though as its usually not clear cut to anyone other then the monoculled brigade on touchline)
Teams must be ready to form a scrum within 30 seconds of the scrum being awarded, unless the referee stops the clock for an injury or another stoppage (thats me screwed)
At a re-set scrum following a 90-degree wheel, the ball is thrown in by the team that previously threw it in rather than the team not in possession (could lead to intentional wheeling from the side who have lost the ball)
The scrum-half of the team not in possession at a scrum may not move into the space between the flanker and number eight (massive change will make it far easier for the not so good scrum halfs who can only pass off one hand)
When the ball has been at the number eight’s feet in a stationary scrum for 3-5 seconds, the referee will call “use it” and the attacking team must use the ball immediately (can see the sense in this would prefer time to be more 5-7 seconds but will see how it goes)
Upon the formation of a maul, the player in possession of the ball cannot ‘swim’ to the back of the engagement. Instead, the ball must be transferred ‘hand to hand’ to the back of the maul by the ripper, who must remain in contact with the initial receiver at all times (bet a lot get caught out with this at start of season as most team and coaches have based maul technique on player with ball moving backwards)