6-point tries to be trialled in Wales

Tries scored in the Welsh Premiership will be worth six points this season, as part of an innovative trial approved by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) board on Wednesday.

Under the pilot scheme, which is subject to World Rugby granting approval on Thursday, penalties and drop goals will have their value reduced from three points to two, with penalty tries worth eight points.

Points for a try were increased from four to five in 1992 and the new system, which is part of a global trial, is an attempt to see whether making them worth an extra point will produce more attacking play.

"I am delighted the Welsh Rugby Union is taking a lead in the world game in regards to these law trials," said WRU head of rugby Josh Lewsey in a statement on the organisation's website.

"Internally, we were already exploring innovative ways in which we could increase 'ball in play time', the focus on skill acquisition and match intensity. As such, these law trials are a superb fit for our intentions."

The Premiership is the highest domestic division in Welsh rugby, but does not feature Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys or Scarlets, who compete with Irish, Italian and Scottish clubs in the Celtic League.

The WRU's national match officials manager Nigel Whitehouse added: "We will be working alongside World Rugby, so this will be a detailed and focused process across the whole of the season ahead.

"The results of the trial will then be fully assessed before any decisions are made about the long-term scoring system for the entire game."

Other elements of the trial include the requirement that uncontested scrums must feature eight players from each team.

In addition, if a mark, free-kick or penalty is awarded after time has expired, the referee will allow play to continue and a line-out will then be allowed to take place if a team kicks to touch from a penalty.

Saturday's Premiership season opener between Llanelli and Pontypridd at Parc-y-Scarlets could be the first game in Wales to feature a six-point try.
Source: AFP