Rugby fans, brace yourselves—the sport we love might be on the brink of a major shift, and it’s all because of a controversial tactic that’s leaving some teams feeling shortchanged. But here’s where it gets controversial: Eddie Jones, the outspoken Japan head coach, is calling for a ‘crackdown’ and urging World Rugby to step up and ‘show leadership’ after France’s tactics denied Ireland a fair contest in the Six Nations opener. This isn’t just about one game—it’s about the future of rugby’s most strategic set-piece: the lineout.
The issue? France repeatedly executed short, lightning-fast lineouts, with players jumping before the hooker was even settled at the mark. And this is the part most people miss: Former Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie pointed out that this tactic effectively eliminated any chance for Ireland to contest the ball in the air. Under a recent World Rugby law trial, skewed throws are no longer penalized if the defensive team doesn’t contest—a rule change that’s now under fire.
World Rugby’s push to speed up the game has introduced shot-clocks for set-pieces and goal kicks, but this latest trial has sparked debate. The updated law (18.23) states that the ball must be thrown straight, but if the non-throwing team doesn’t lift a player to compete, play continues. Critics argue this leaves too much room for interpretation and undermines the spirit of the lineout as a contested set-piece.
Here’s the bold question: Is the lineout becoming just a formality, a glorified restart of play? Owen Doyle, former IRFU referee boss, has slammed the trial, and McKenzie echoes the concern: ‘There’s no contest in the lineout now.’ Eddie Jones agrees, emphasizing the need for a genuine opportunity to compete for possession. He believes World Rugby must act swiftly to reinstate the contest before the trend spreads further.
But let’s not forget France’s clever strategy. By playing their forwards wider and exploiting the lack of contest, they gained a significant advantage. Is this innovation or exploitation? Some argue it’s a natural evolution of the game, while others fear it’s stripping rugby of its core competitive elements.
Jones hopes World Rugby will ‘send out an edict’ to address this issue immediately, ensuring the lineout remains a true battle for possession. McKenzie warns that without action, the lineout risks becoming irrelevant—a mere restart rather than a strategic contest. So, what do you think? Is this a necessary evolution of the game, or a step too far? Let’s debate it in the comments—rugby’s future might just depend on it.
