Backing RFL plan to pack it in and avoid scrum standstill - Dave Craven

However, I do vividly recall the feeling of utter despair when I saw a centre and half-back packing down to allow a prop and a second-row to operate outside of the scrum.

My immediate thought: what even is the point of scrums anymore? The subject has come up once more this week given controversial recommendations from the RFL Laws Committee that clubs consider the removal of this part of the game for the rest of 2020 in order to minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19.

Some coaches are certainly against the idea and so are plenty of players so there is nothing to say that the idea will actually be given the green light.

I would argue, though, that the game simply cannot afford not to make sure the recommendation is ratified.

In essence, the medical opinion – on which the Laws Committee have acted – says that a one-on-one tackle is deemed as one close contact and a single scrum constitutes 132. Given there is an average of 12 scrums per game this season (but up to 16 in some cases) taking away that part of the sport will result in more than 1,500 fewer such interactions.

Early indications are players will be tested for Covid just once per week, probably on a Wednesday before a weekend game.

Players would then be tested again the following Wednesday. If anyone in a scrum during the previous fixture returns a positive result, all players partaking in that scrum on both sides would need to self-isolate for two weeks.

Crucially, medical experts feel it almost inevitable there will be positive results as it is impossible for players to be in full quarantine between testing and games.

Two or more positive tests at a club could see squads forced to stop training (and playing) altogether, essentially bringing the sport to a standstill again.

However, if there are no scrums, it is hoped Public Health England’s need to quarantine for a fortnight will be relaxed.

By the time rugby league hopefully resumes in August, it will have already missed five months of action and income due to the pandemic, bringing all those crippling worries and concerns.

After waiting so long, is it then really worth risking a second lockdown for the sake of scrums when, in all honesty, they offer so little in their current guise?

It is easy to see why, just for the remainder of 2020 remember, the RFL want to take this action.

Granted, the PHE guidelines could change before the sport resume and, if scrums are axed, there must also be some caveats.

Although scrums have not been competitive for decades, they do offer a break in play with players getting 30 seconds on the shot clock to catch their breath.

They will still need that respite especially given the suggested introduction of the ‘six again’ rule will already quicken up play and players will be returning after so long without proper training.

I do not see it turning into a permanent rule change. Admittedly, scrums are farcical and though some argue it opens up space for three-quarters to shine, so often that space is rarely used.

Perhaps, though, all this scrum talk can lead to a positive in the future.

Maybe a new rule should be looked at; when scrums take place in the opposition half, all players outside of the scrum should be listed backs and there has to be at least four passes exchanged before the first tackle.

Those props can stay where they are and get that breather.

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