World Rugby

Auto-detected content change during sync (commit 06ffb34)

Recorded May 13, 2026

Long-arc try-value inflation continued: World Rugby (then the IRB) raised the value of a try from four points to five points, the second such increase in 21 years (3 → 4 in 1971, 4 → 5 in 1992). The change widened the strategic gap between try-scoring play and penalty-kicking play, incentivizing attacking, line-breaking play over conservative territorial kick-and-penalty rugby. Five points has remained the value of a try ever since, making this the structural scoring backbone of all post-1992 rugby union.

Recorded May 8, 2026

World Rugby simplified penalty-try scoring: a penalty try awarded by the referee is now automatically worth seven points (the equivalent of a try plus a successful conversion) and the conversion kick is eliminated. The previous rule required the kicker to attempt the conversion from in front of the posts after a penalty try; the new procedure both saves time and recognizes that a penalty try is awarded specifically because the defending team prevented a probable try through foul play. Adopted globally for World Rugby competitions and immediately mirrored by national unions.

Recorded May 8, 2026

Most consequential World Rugby attacking-space law of the modern era: a kick from inside the kicker's own half that bounces and goes into touch within the opposing 22-metre area gives the kicking team the throw-in at the resulting lineout — reversing the longstanding rule that the defending team always throws in. The change explicitly incentivizes defending teams to keep more back-three players deep, creating space in the front line for attacking phases. First trialed in Super Rugby AU before being adopted by World Rugby globally.

Recorded May 8, 2026