SPORT: CHANGES TO RUGBY SCRUM ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
The International Rugby Board has confirmed a rule change in relation to the new scrum engagement process.
Instead of an audible signal to the scrum-half, the match referee will now use non-verbal communication to indicate that the scrum-half is clear to feed the ball into the scrum.
Up until this point, the scrum-half had to wait for a ‘yes nine’ command before feeding to his front-row, which critics claimed was giving an unfair advantage to the opposing pack.