ELVs: the movie

The RFU have circulated a new IRB video on the new laws coming in for next season. All clubs will have received copies (including RFUW registered teams, so I have been sent a copy as well).

Its about 20 minutes long and I think is required viewing for everyone before the season starts. The only snag is that as a DVD its not easy to put on the blog without some a breach of copyright and - more importantly - some decent ripping software and related expertise. If anyone can offer that then please get back to me asap. Obviously it would have been slightly easier if IRB had had the idea of bunging the thing on YouTube - but, hey, the IRB executive (see right) is not exactly the YouTube generation (and all male too I note...).

So perhaps when we have our first training session a viewing might be possible - and in the meanwhile if anyone wants to borrow the DVD before then get in touch.

Looking at it I reckon that - given the maul changes will not apply - the big area where the ELVs will have an effect is in the line-out. The fact that numbers put into the lineout by each team will no longer need to be the same opens up all sorts of tactical possibilities. As the defending team do you put extra players in to try to steal (but therefore have fewer in the defensive line)?

The quick throw becomes much easier to perform as well. Its not something we have used, or ever seen, in our games but maybe we should be looking at it in future?

Other than that things like the 5m line at scrums won't make much difference as most of the time you don't get up to the back foot anyway...