Here is a link and the full draft of an article that appears on the IRB website. There are links to greater detail on each of the ELVs. The ELVs will be trialled, in part, during a NH tournament. I will keep you informed of what events are covered by what ELVs / laws as and when I get the information.
I hope it helps!
http://www.irb.com/ELVs/
Foreword by Bernard Lapasset, IRB ChairmanI welcomed the decision by the IRB Council in 2004 to review the Laws of the Game following recommendations that came out of the Conference on the Playing of the Game that was held in Auckland after Rugby World Cup 2003. Subsequently, a lot of hard work has been undertaken by an IRB Laws Project Group which has studied a group of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) with the assistance of a number of our Member Unions. This ongoing co-operation is much appreciated.Following this unprecedented work, Council has now approved a global trial at all levels of the Game of certain Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) beginning on August 1, 2008. This decision to implement a global trial represents an important milestone for the future of the Game.The trial will involve 13 ELVs that have been undergoing practical on field experimentation in approved tournaments around the world over the last two years. This guide introduces these 13 ELVs.The Laws Project Group will closely monitor the global trial over the next 12 months with the assistance of Member Unions. Then, next year, Council will review all the ELVs that will have undergone trials before deciding if all or any of the ELVs should be accepted into full Law.Bernard LapassetChairman, International Rugby Board
Individual Experimental Law Variations
Click on the links below to see more detail, including video, on each of the ELVs.
Law 6 - Match Officials
1 Assistant referees are able to assist the referee in any way that the referee requires.
Law 17 - Maul
2 Remove reference to head and shoulders not being lower than hips.3 Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down.
Law 19 - Touch and Lineout
4 If a team puts the ball back into its own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch, there is no gain in ground.5 A quick throw in may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team’s own goal line.6 There is no restriction on the number of players from either team who can participate in the lineout.7 The receiver at the lineout must be 2 metres away from the lineout.8 The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball must stand in the area between the 5-metre line and the touch line but must be 2 metres away from the 5-metre line.9 Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in.10 The lifting of lineout players is permitted.
Law 20 - Scrum
11 Introduction of an offside line 5 metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum.12 Identification of scrum half offside lines.Law 22 – Corner Posts13 The corner posts are no longer considered to be touch-in-goal except when the ball is grounded against the post.
Disclaimer
Rugby is a physical contact sport and there are inherent risks associated with participating in Rugby related activities. Accidents can happen and may happen to you. The IRB (including its operating entity IRFB Services (Ireland) Limited and other associated entities) does not accept any responsibility or liability in negligence or otherwise in relation to any injury, loss or damage suffered by persons seeking to replicate activities demonstrated in this IRB Guide To Experimental Law Variations product or participating in Rugby related activities generally.
AcknowledgementsLaws Project Group: Bill Beaumont, Bruce Cook, Richie Dixon, Rod Macqueen, Ian McIntosh, Syd Millar, Mick Molloy, Graham Mourie, Bill Nolan, Paddy O’Brien, Pierre VillepreuxResource editorial team: Steve Griffiths, Mark HarringtonResource consultancy team: Jean-Luc Barthes, Bernd Gabbei, Keith Hole, Tom Jones, Douglas Langley, Clive Leeke, Mike Luke, Mike Miller, Lee Smith, Greg Thomas
The WRU have confirmed that for the season 2008/2009, the following ELVs will be implemented for ALL Rugby both Senior & Junior Age Grade. Experimental Law Variations Summary Match Officials 1 - Assistant referees are able to assist the referee in any way that the referee requires. (probably does not apply to Mini & Junior rugby except for cup games with touch judges appointed) Maul 2 - Remove reference to head and shoulders not being lower than hips. 3 - Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it down. Touch and Lineout 4 - If a team puts the ball back into its own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch there is no gain in ground. 5 - A quick throw in may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team's own goal line. 6 - There is no restriction on the number of players from either team who can participate in the lineout. 7 - The receiver at the lineout must be two metres away from the lineout. 8 - The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball must stand in the area between the 5-metre line and the touch line but must be two metres away from the 5-metre line. 9 - Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in. 10 -The lifting of lineout players is permitted. Scrum 11 - Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the scrum. 12 - Identification of scrum half offside lines. Corner Posts 13 - The corner posts are no longer considered to be touch in goal except when the ball is grounded against the post. The WRU have opted not to implement Penalty/Free Kick ELVs.
Since July there have been 5 IRB Law rulings with regard to the ELVs. One of these has ammended and earlier ruling on the ELVs. I wourking on a list of effective rulings on the ELVs and will publish them here soon.