There has been a lot of discussion recently about the ELVs (Experimental Law Variations) and how they might affect the game. They are seen by some as a way of opening up the game in these days of tight defences but others see it the Southern Hemisphere (Australia in particular) trying to make union much more like league. Opponents argue that teams like Australia want to depower the scrum because they aren’t very good at scrummaging. Already the RFU and the WRU have come out against the ELVs. Plymouth Argaum’s traditional strength has always been the set scrum and rolling maul so maybe we should start having a look at these laws more closely. Well the RFU have given us a chance to have our say and are calling on players, coaches, referees, volunteers/administrators and parents to carry out an online survey on the RFU website.

Of course how long these laws will take to filter down to the grass-roots is anyone’s guess. Already laws which are firmly implemented at the lower levels are ignored at top club and international level. When was the last time you saw either a ‘crooked put-in at the scrum’ or ’man in front of the kicker at a restart’ penalised in a Six Nations game? Is there a case for formally accepting that top level and grass roots games should operate under different sets of laws?

Anyway there is one reason why I am fundementally opposed to these ELVs, they are designed to increase ball-in-play time. As an ageing prop forward that is the last thing I want to see!