Six-point tries to be trialled in Wales

Six-point tries will be trialled in Welsh rugby's Principality Premiership competition, subject to World Rugby approval.

Six-point tries are set to be trialled in Welsh rugby's Principality Premiership this season.

The trial, which has been given a green light by the Welsh Rugby Union board but is subject to World Rugby approval on Thursday, will also see penalties and drop-goals reduced from three points to two.

A penalty try, meanwhile, will be an automatic eight-point score, with no conversion taken.

Tries were increased from four points to five in 1992, and the latest addition is designed to test whether a more open and attacking game ensues, with increased ball in play time and fewer penalty attempts at goal.

Saturday's Premiership season opener between Llanelli and Pontypridd will be the first game in Wales that could feature a six-point try. The trial will cover Premiership and Challenge Cup fixtures.

Other trialled law changes announced by the WRU for their premier club competition will include any uncontested scrums having to involve eight players from each team, and if time expires and a mark, free kick or penalty is awarded, the referee will allow play to continue and a lineout allowed to take place if a team kicks to touch from a penalty.

WRU head of rugby Josh Lewsey said: "I am delighted the Welsh Rugby Union is taking a lead in the world game in regards to these law trials.

"Internally, we were already exploring innovative ways in which we could increase 'ball in play time', the focus on skill acquisition and match intensity.

"As such, these law trials are a superb fit for our intentions."

And WRU national match officials manager Nigel Whitehouse added: "We will be working alongside World Rugby, so this will be a detailed and focused process across the whole of the season ahead.

"As well as observing the games, we will be taking feedback from everyone involved to feed into our conclusion process.

"The results of the trial will then be fully assessed before any decisions are made about the long-term scoring system for the entire game."


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world