McGeechan attacks 'illogical' ELVs

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan has described the IRB's proposed law changes as “illogical and very short-sighted”.

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan has described the International Rugby Board's (IRB) proposed law changes as “illogical and very short-sighted”.

Thirteen of the 23 Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) currently being experimented with in southern hemisphere tournaments such as the Super 14 will be introduced at all levels of the game in a 12-month trial from August 1.

These include the contentious change of players now being able to defend a maul by pulling it down while there will also be no restriction on the number of players in a line-out.

McGeechan is considered to be one of rugby's great strategist and is favourite to lead the Lions on next year's tour of South Africa – a campaign that will now run in line with the new laws.

“If you don't want to contest the line-out, you can put two players in, pull down the opposition, and string the other forwards across the field,” McGeechan told the Times

“It's probably the end of the short line-out and of the maul. Two players can go in and pull it down, the others join the defensive line.

“A good maul attracts players to it and creates space elsewhere. It's illogical and very short-sighted.”