Four new laws - including conversion shot clocks and less penalising of crooked line-out throws - will be introduced into the game worldwide from January.

LONDON - Four law trials aimed at speeding up the game, reducing time-wasting and “enhancing the fan experience” will be introduced on a global trial across all competitions from Jan. 1 2025, World Rugby said on Nov 14 after its council approved the changes.

World Rugby Council members have rejected two proposed law trials at the latest council meeting in Dublin. Proposals for a global trial to call a mark inside the 22-metre line from kick-offs, and to make teams play the ball after a maul has been stopped once,