The UAR applied for dispensation to implement the innovative injury-prevention programme in 2018 following an increase in scrum-related injuries in Argentina’s community game.
Built around World Rugby’s Under 19 law variation that prevents a team from pushing more than 1.5m towards the opponent’s line, the programme includes a package of mandatory education, law and medical measures to enhance injury-prevention:
• Teams may not push the scrum more than 1.5 metres towards the opponents’ goal line (save for five-metre scrums): sanction free-kick)
• Compulsory ‘Electronic Card’ for all players to detail pre-competition medical
• Compulsory front row accreditation for all participants following online and face-to-face course completion
• Scrum-specific rugby initiation courses for players, coaches and match officials
• Dedicated injury surveillance
World Rugby Vice-Chairman Agustin Pichot said: “We are committed to building a better, simpler and safer game for all and this trial shows commitment and collaboration to protect players.
"Nearly 99 per cent of the nine million global players are community players and we have responded proactively and positively to an issue in Argentina with positive results.
“I believe that this type of approach is a template that can be rolled out by other unions at community level should they wish to do so.”
UAR President Marcelo Rodriguez added: "We've worked in partnership with our provincial unions for two years to embed this trial, which has the primary objective of enhancing player safety in the scrum.
“Through a focus on education, technique and culture change, we are making strong inroads into preventing injuries, which is very encouraging. We have returned to the basics of our game talking about honesty and loyalty, knowing that we have to take care of each other.
”World Rugby is hosting a player welfare symposium in France this week with medical, playing and coaching delegates from unions, professional leagues and players associations focusing on evidence-based injury-prevention.”