Here are the new regulations and rule changes that have been confirmed for the 2023 Six Nations competition, have a look
The Six Nations is now just a few weeks away, but there are some new rules that supporters will need to get used to.
While the tournament’s rules won’t be drastically modified like those that would affect the community game, lawmakers have proposed some adjustments for this year.
They could stand a new challenge for the nations vying for victory in the Six Nations.
Six Nations rugby 2023 rule changes 2023, new rules list and format explained
They consist of Wales, whose head coach Warren Gatland has returned, and England, who will start a new era under Steve Borthwick.
France will be attempting to win the championship back-to-back for the first time since 2017.
Shot clock
World Rugby has added a shot clock to the game to help it go along more quickly.
Players will only have a certain amount of time to execute on-field tasks thanks to the shot clock, which is already in place in France’s Top 14 league.
This includes having a minute for penalties and 90 seconds to convert a try. The action is meant to reduce game-related pauses and time-wasting.
Reduce reliance on TMOs
Additionally, World Rugby wants to cut down fewer television match officials (TMOs).
Rugby union has employed TMOs to assist on-field officials in making the appropriate call since they were first introduced in 2001, years before VAR was used in football.
But before the Six Nations, authorities are being reminded that TMOs are intended to rectify clear faults rather than getting embroiled in extensive reviews.
Penalising negative actions
Referees are instructed to call fouls on players who might otherwise go unnoticed for their bad behaviour.
This involves putting opponents in a ruck and refusing to try to play the ball after a turnover.
A World Rugby statement said:
Players are reminded about their responsibilities not to hold the ball or walk off with the ball at penalties – this reduces attacking options by the non-offending team and slows the game down unnecessarily and will be sanctioned.”
Water carrier interventions
New regulations state that water may only be brought onto the field after a try has been scored.
Before, whenever there was a pause, water carriers could enter the playing area.
However, a global trial discovered that limiting the number of times they can activate has decreased play halts.
Water bearers are allowed to enter the field twice per half at designated moments during games without tries.
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