The International Rugby Board announced on Tuesday that the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) in Rugby would be used for the first time in France.  The ELVs will be implemented during France’s Espoirs Championships, which lasts for 6 months. France is one of the first European countries to try out the rules. Other countries in the Northern Hemisphere remain skeptical about the efficacy of the new sanctions.

The ELVs were introduced by the Rugby Union in November 2006. It is also referred to as the Stellenbosch Laws. The ELVs propose several changes to the current rules of rugby. An example of these rules is as follows:

“If the ball is unplayable at the breakdown of a tackle or ruck the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a free kick” Another rule states that “Should a maul become unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul will receive a free kick.”

At present, only 13 of the original 23 ELVs rules are being used in the international trial. France’s Espoirs Championships will be adding three more.

A final review of the implemented rules will start March 2008. Rules that pass will be officially included in the Rugby Rulebook.