A time limit on taking penalties and conversions will be introduced in competitions early next year to speed up the pace of play, World Rugby announced on Thursday.
From January 1, players will have 90 seconds to complete a conversion and one minute for penalties or the kick will be waived.
This measure has already been adopted by the French Top 14 for a few years.
“
World Rugby, member unions and competitions will work with broadcasters and match organizers to put on screen (in stadiums and on television) penalty and conversion timers to ensure that referees, players and spectators can see the countdown
,” World Rugby director Phil Davies said in a statement.
Three other measures come into force: a maximum of 30 seconds to launch a melee, the obligation to form alignments without delay.
Four directives which will also be implemented by World Rugby concern the less systematic use of video refereeing the limitation of the interventions of water carriers.
The reforms will be introduced in club rugby from January 1.
The next Six Nations Tournament will be played under these new rules from February 4, as will the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off on September 8 in France.
