The ELVs were introduced globally on August 1 and Owens has been conducting workshops to get Wales’ clubs and match officials up to speed ahead of the big-kick off in two weeks.
“The law changes aren’t complex, and it will take most people just a couple of friendlies to get into the rhythm,” he said.
“The first thing people need to realise is that what they have been seeing on the television in Tri-Nations matches is not going to be replicated here. The rules on the contact area that have been implemented in the Tri-Nations are not part of the Laws that are coming in globally.
“The structure of the game is not going to change all that much. There’s only really the rule to defensively stay five metres back from the scrum and the rule regularising the collapse of the maul. These law changes coming in are going to have a positive effect on the game I believe. I think people are under the impression we are going to see full-scale changes which is not the case.
“The changes are not huge. They are just basic changes that people will adapt to quickly once they get a few games under their belt.
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Owens examines ELV’s
Referee Nigel Owens has spoken to the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast about how he believes the New Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) will affect the game in Wales.
