'Dupont's Law' scrapped among three World Rugby changes

Under the current laws, when a player kicks the ball, their team can be put on side by an opponent advancing 5m or passing the ball. 

That has led to games - including Scotland's Six Nations clash with France - where two players kick the ball to one another, while everyone else waits in the middle of the pitch. 

An example of the so-called Dupont's Law from Scotland's Six Nations clash with France (Image: Screenshot)

Gregor Townsend said after the match he wanted it outlawed, saying: “I believe this is not something that should stay in our game.

“We talk about space being one of the fundamentals of the game. This is a deliberate reduction of space."

READ MORE: Scotland head coach wants so-called Dupont's Law outlawed

World Rugby has now confirmed that is one of three laws to be changed "with a focus on both spectacle and safety and all geared towards the promotion of quick attacking ball". 

The other changes will see the 'croc roll' - the action of rolling/twisting or pulling a player in a ruck - outlawed and sanctioned by a penalty. 

It will also no longer be possible to opt for a scrum from a free-kick. To encourage more ball in play time, free kicks must now be either tapped or kicked. 

The world governing body has also announced law trials that will operate across the World Rugby U20 Championship, U20 Trophy and Pacific Nations Cup this summer. 

• Revised on- and off-field sanctions process increasing simplicity, consistency and fan understanding. This features the combination of strong automatic off-field red card sanctions and the ability to replace a red-carded player after 20 minutes.
• Introduction of the 30-second shot clock for scrum and lineout setting and a maximum of 60 seconds for conversions [a reduction of 30 seconds] aligning with the time permitted for penalty kicks at goal.
• Protection of the nine at the base of the scrum, ruck and at the maul following successful trials in Major League Rugby in the USA and in elite and community competitions in New Zealand. The nine will not be able to be played while the ball is still near a tackle, ruck or maul, and the offside line at the scrum for the non-putting in scrum-half will be the middle of the tunnel.
• Ability to mark the ball inside the 22m line from a restart, promoting attacking options.
• The ball must be played after the maul has been stopped once, not twice.
• Play-on at a lineout if the ball is not thrown straight, but only if lineout is uncontested. 

World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, said: “I would like to thank my colleagues from across the game for embracing the spirit of this comprehensive review of rugby’s entertainment factor.  

"With calendar certainty, including new competitions and all men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups set through to 2033, our major events are defined, our content set.

World Rugby chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont (Image: PA)

“I believe that the law amendments and suite of closed trials will add to the entertainment factor. As with all trials, we will comprehensively review their effectiveness and take feedback from across the game.

"The revised red card sanction process is such an example, and it is important that we trial, assess and make definitive decisions based on data and feedback.”