Rolling substitutions to trial in student rugby

Some ex-Legends could find themselves testing what could be one of the most significant changes to the game for years. After a trial in the men's county championship last season, "rolling substitutions" will be introduced into BUCS inter-university rugby this season - both men's and women's. This is a very controversial development - some people seeing the idea as being a major contribution to player welfare, while others say it will change the game forever.

Rolling players on and off is not uncommon in junior rugby - especially friendly games - but whereas that is normally just a means of making sure everyone gets a game, rolling subs at a higher level becomes a coaching tactic. The basic idea is that - if a player is substituted - they will no longer out of the game - they will be able to go back on again.

Trouble is that, as well as being used to rest players, this might mean that key players could be brought on for key set-pieces - penalties, line-outs, scrums etc. - and then taken off again. To try to counter this teams are not being complete freedom to "roll" players on and off whenever they wish - instead they will be limited to 12 "interchanges" in a game. In practice, where this has been tried (and it is used in Rugby League, apparently), it has been the front row that has benefited - props in particular being rolled on and off to keep them fresh and fit.

Whether the rule change will be extended to the wider game, or whether there will be a wider trial, will be decided after the end of the university and county seasons in April.