World Rugby

Auto-detected content change during sync (commit dfeb511)

Recorded Aug 22, 2026

Auto-detected content change during sync (commit 951244c)

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. The 1992 change set the value of a try at five points, which became the basis of rugby union scoring from that date. Readers should confirm the value against World Rugby's Laws rather than relying on this milestone.

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