The International Rugby Board council today announced it has approved a global trial of 13 Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) for a 12-month period.

The most significant change is that from August 1 players will be able to defend a maul by pulling it down. In addition, linesmen will now be called assistant referees and be able to help the main official in any manner required, and corner posts are no longer considered to be in touch except when a ball is grounded against the post. There are also alterations to the machinations of lineouts and throws, most importantly that there will be no restriction on the number of players who can participate in the lineout.

Three further variations will be trialled in an elite northern-hemisphere competition, most likely to be the European Challenge Cup. The most noteworthy is that all offences other than offside, not entering through the gate at the breakdown and foul play will result in a free-kick rather than a penalty. A total of 23 ELVs were presented to the council having been trialled in the southern hemisphere, but seven were rejected, including the legalising of handling in the ruck.

"The Council's decision to implement a global trial of Experimental Law Variations represents an important milestone for the future of the Game. It vindicates the process that was adopted by council in 2004 for future Law amendments. The Council congratulated the Law Project Group on its unprecedented work over the past two years," said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"The Laws Project Group had recommended a global trial of all of the ELVs, but there were differing opinions between the council Members on some of the ELVs in the area of the tackle and ruck, maul, sanctions and offside."