Maul's might protected at rugby rules meeting

The power of the maul has been preserved by key rugby officials discussing the sport's so-called Experimental Law Variations.

The ELVs, which are designed to speed up play, have been on global trial since Aug. 1 after being tested in the southern hemisphere's Super 14.

The International Rugby Board conference in London recommended Tuesday that the law allowing mauls to be pulled down should be thrown out, while the ELV allowing teams to select as many players as they want in the lineout was also rejected.

The ELV recommendations approved to assist the IRB rugby committee in formulating its final recommendations for the IRB Council meeting on May 13 include:

A five-meter offside line at the scrum.

A pass back rule, which prevents players from making any ground with a kick to touch if the ball has been played back into their own 22.

Allowing lifting in the lineout.

LONDON, AP