Bath Rugby : Adjusting to life with the ELVs

Chas Williamson

Adjusting to life with the ELVs

2 July 2008, 3:37 pm

By Kate Oram

Love them, or loathe them, 13 of the IRB's controversial Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) will be phased into the English game as part of a 12 month global trial from August 1st.

For the coaches of Guinness Premiership clubs this means that, rather than soaking up the sun on some Riviera, costa or playa, the summer months will be spent poring over DVD footage of the recent Super 14, looking at the major effects that these new laws will have on the game, and fathoming how best to use them.

The response this side of the equator has been luke warm; the Guinness Premiership is bubbling at the moment and few would argue that it has ever been in better shape. Yet, the ELVs are here to stay for now and for Steve Meehan that means using them to Bath's advantage in a tough domestic and European campaign.

"I think the ELVs will change the shape of the players a bit in terms of adapting to their roles on the pitch," said Meehan. "

"Under the ELVs I think players will have to be leaner and fitter, because the game should speed up and because we will be getting more ball away from the set piece."

The main areas of change relate to the scrum, lineout, quick throw-ins, contact area, kicking from the 22 and the maul. With kicking for touch no longer permitted from a pass back or carry inside the 22, and quick throw-ins no longer permitted to be straight, Meehan believes that more emphasis will be placed upon a kick and chase game.

"I think we will see a lot more kick, chase - so the guys will have to be able to move a lot better in that area than previously," he said.

One major area of change will be the lineout. No longer will equal numbers from both sides be required to form a lineout and with this amendment comes a wealth of new attacking options and one or two defensive headaches.

"The major change brought about by the introduction of the ELVs is in the area of the lineout and what that is going to specifically do in regards to how teams use it to attack.

“As you can now legally pull down a driven maul from a lineout, what we will see happen over time is whether or not it is viable to try and get a drive and a break out through that area and allow the opposition to come 10 metres and to take the space.

"The other option is to play direct from the lineout and try and take advantage of that stage - or try a mixture of both. There are a lot of options!"

For Meehan and the Bath Rugby players, like their counterparts at other Premiership clubs, there is plenty to be done in adjusting to life with the ELVs. Only time will tell whether they make the game easier to play, watch and understand.