Six Nations conversion kicking time – how long has player got to take kick and why has time shortened?
THERE will be some new rules introduced during this years Six Nations, with kickers now given less time to convert a try or penalty kick.
The new rule comes as rugby union aims to try and keep games flowing as much as possible, in order for a new set of fans to become engaged with the sport.
Owen Farrell, like current Scottish 10 Finn Russell, like to run down as much time as he could on the shot clock before taking his kicks.
However, in the World Cup 2023 he ran down too much time, and ran the clock to zero before he could take a kick against Samoa, with England 17-11 down.
England went on to win the game 18-17 thanks to a late try from Danny Care.
What are the new time limit rules?
There are time limits introduced in three areas of the game:
- Setting the scrum
- Setting a lineout
- Conversions / penalty kicks
While referees can stop the clock at any point, the new rules are an initiative for players to stop time wasting.
Players will now only have 30 seconds to set a scrum, or a lineout, otherwise the referee will penalise the team with the ball.
This can be with a scrum or a penalty to the opposition team.
Kickers will also only be given a minute to take a conversion, rather than the 90 seconds they had before.
The 30 second reduction is to allow for the same ammount of time for a penalty kick and conversion to be taken. If a player takes too long, a scrum is awarded to the opposition.
Are there any other new rules to know?
The 20-minute red card rule is arguably the biggest change ahead of this tournament.
This new rule allows for players to be sent off, but the team will only be punished for 20 minutes, as they can replace the player sent off after 20 minutes has passed.
Also, if a lineout is not straight, but is uncontested, play on is called to allow for the game to flow better.
Finally, new laws to protect 9’s at the scrum and a ruck means the 9 will not be allowed to be played the ball if the ball is in a tackle, ruck or maul.
It also means that the opposition 9 at a scrum has an offside line set at the middle of the tunnel, limiting their ability to defend from a scrum.
Who is playing this weekend in the Six Nations?
Action in the Six Nations this weekend kicks-off in the same place the World Cup was held in 2023, as struggling Wales get off to a tough start against France in Paris at 8:15pm GMT.
France are boosted by the return of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack at scrum-half and fly-half, live on ITV.
Scotland will host Italy at Murrayfield in the first of two games, at 2:15pm GMT on Saturday, live on BBC.
The first weekend of the Six Nations ends in Dublin, as Steve Borthwick takes his England side to take on Ireland at 4:45pm GMT, live on ITV.