World Rugby to trial red card replacements as part of five-step plan to boost sport's appeal and increase safety

World Rugby has revealed its five-step plan that it hopes will help increase the sport's appeal and broaden its popularity.

Among the laws being looked at, red card replacements are to be trialled and a lowering of the allowed tackle height is under consideration for the elite game.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: "Change is in rugby’s DNA. The moves that we are making are grounded in our commitment to increasing relevance on a global basis and born from a desire to change for the better.

"That means being bold, embracing change by dialling up the entertainment value, making our stars more accessible and simplifying terminology and language used to explain rugby to those who are yet to fall in love with it."

The first phase, which came into effect on March 19, is focused on speeding up the game, with players "expected to use the ball more quickly" from the base of a ruck when the referee calls "use it".

Similarly, phase two changes are hoped to speed up play. Specifically, there is a desire to reduce the "kick tennis" that has become prevalent under the controversial 'Dupont law', while the removal of a scrum option from a free-kick is also being considered, with the amendments to be discussed at a World Rugby Council on May 9.

The third phase will see shot clocks trialled for scrums and line-outs and give players the ability to mark the ball inside the 22 from a restart.

But it is phase four that will bring about the most tangible changes if implemented. A "comprehensive review" of disciplinary measures will determine the suitability of red card replacements.

In the global trial, players shown red won't be allowed to return to the game but can be replaced after 20 minutes. It means there will be less situations like we saw in the World Cup final last October when New Zealand were forced to play the majority of the game with 14 men after Sam Cane was sent off in the first half against South Africa.

Safety at the breakdown is also to be reviewed, as are the results of community tackle height trials. From July 1 of last year across 11 unions in England, players were only allowed to tackle from the waist down, with it to be determined whether or not that would be appropriate for "elite rugby".

Also included in phase four is a review of TMO protocol, with an "optimal remit" to be established.

In phase five, "the scrum engagement sequence and the tackle/ruck area" will be evaluated in "controlled environments" in order to examine how these parts of the game impact speed and safety.

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