It’s better late than never and there are still many more improvements to come, but with a series of announcements in recent days, World Rugby seem to have at least woken up to the fact that changes were needed in the laws of the game immediately to make our sport more attractive to players and spectators alike.

Yes, I know the powers-that-be have been working on the Shape of the Game plan for many months, but it all seemed to have gone a bit stale and I feared procrastination had set in, but in the language of World Rugby, that “multi-stakeholder forum” comprising representatives of every section of our sport, have now produced the first part of what I am sure will be an ongoing process of transformation.

It’s overdue, but nevertheless welcome, and I am greatly encouraged that the governing body are working through the remainder of the Shape of the Game plan which should make rugby more entertaining, a crucial necessity in these days of competition between sports for television money which usually follows the viewer figures, as well as attracting young people to play the game.

The three major changes announced........

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