Abolishing scrums could help save rugby league clubs, says Chris Chester

The governing body’s Laws Committee has recommended clubs consider removing scrums for the rest of 2020 to reduce the threat of potential exposure to and transmission of Covid-19 between players.

Among other proposals, it has also suggested adopting the ‘six again’ rule, introduced when the Australian NRL returned three weeks ago, as another way of helping lessen the chance of infection when the sport hopes to resume here in August.

The recommendation about the removal of scrums is pending further clarification from Public Health England but Chester – who sits on the Laws Committee – now fully understands its benefits.

“With regards to the scrums, it caught everyone off-guard at Wednesday’s meeting as it certainly wasn’t on the agenda when we got that through last week,” he told The Yorkshire Post.

“It took everyone by surprise but it is government-led.

“Gemma Phillips, the Hull KR doctor (and RFL Covid Officer) delivered a fantastic paper to the committee and we’ve done this to minimise any kind of risk.

“What was said is that should a club have an outbreak – and that’s anything of two players or more testing positive for Covid – we’re at risk of being told by the government to stop training completely.

“In terms of the scrum, let’s say (Wakefield hooker) Kyle Wood tested positive the day after a game for Covid, then everyone in that scrum could potentially have to self-isolate for 14 days as he’s come into close proximity of the five players on his side and the other six on the opposite side. That’s 12 players in total. This is the best medical advice we’ve got and we just have to follow that. If it gets us back playing and back playing quicker then happy days.”

Data suggests that if a one-on-one tackle equates to one close contact then a scrum represents 132 close contacts.

Given there was an average of 12 scrums per game in Super League before the sport was shutdown in mid-March, it is clear why removing scrums has found its way onto that agenda.

Of course, unlike in rugby union where they are of such tactical importance, rugby league scrums have barely been contested for decades and are essentially a way of restarting the game.

The ‘six again’ rule sees the majority of ruck infringements are penalised by a restart of the tackle count, rather than leading to a stoppage in play with a penalty.

This was seen as having health benefits in terms of increasing the speed of play-the-balls, therefore reducing the number of players in each tackle and the amount of time spent in close contact.

Three more NRL rule changes introduced earlier in 2020 are being considered for the resumption of the season here.

When a team kicks out on the full, play will be restarted by a play-the-ball rather than a scrum; the restart following a mutual infringement (such as the ball hitting the referee or a trainer) will be a play-the-ball rather than a scrum; restrictions on the legal point of contact for a third defender in an upright tackle, which must now be above the knee.

The recommendations will now be considered by Betfred Super League, Championship and League 1 clubs, with forums created for feedback ahead of possible implementation at the next RFL Board meeting in early July.

Ralph Rimmer, the RFL’s chief executive and chair of the Laws Committee, said: “These are major recommendations, but these are unprecedented times, presenting the game with unique challenges.

“The Committee recognised the importance of consulting widely within the game before the recommendations are put to the RFL Board, and that process has already started. But we believe Rugby League is well-served by its agility, in terms of being able to consider and implement such significant changes.”

Also, at least at Super League level, the new rule punishing teams for making late changes to 21-player matchday squads by the removal of an interchange will be suspended for the rest of 2020.

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