World Rugby amends law related to tries scored against posts

World Rugby has abolished scoring a try by grounding the ball against the posts with immediate effect.

The decision comes after the recommendation by international federation’s Rugby Committee and specialist Laws Review Group and as a result the governing body has made a slight change to Law 8 with the World Rugby Council approving the change via a teleconference.

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 extreme cases in an attempt to reduce the try scoring area post protectors had been lifted or moved by the defenders leading to a risk of injuries.

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 is first to ground the ball in the opponents’ in-goal.

World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said the decision to amend the law was taken taking into consideration the players safety.

"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."