Major League Rugby set for ‘strange rule changes’ which is ‘a great way to kill the sport in the USA’
James Irey Of Nola Gold and Joaquin Horcada of the Dallas Jackals pack down at a scrum during a Major League Rugby match.
Major League Rugby (MLR) have announced that it will introduce a controversial set of law trial changes in which scrums will almost be eradicated entirely from the sport.
The 2025 MLR season is set to get underway this weekend and the new laws will be enforced in the US premier competition’s opening round of fixtures.
However, there has been a backlash from the game’s fans with many of them unhappy with the upcoming alterations.
MLR will implement seven law trials in all, five of which will remove the scrum option during a specific stoppage in play.
By implementing these changes, MLR is hoping to make rugby union a faster and more fluid spectacle and it is designed to reduce stoppages during matches.
Breakdown of the new laws for 2025
– A knock-on or throw into touch will now result in a lineout only, removing the scrum option to keep the game moving.
– When the ball is knocked on or thrown into the in-goal area and grounded by either team, the result will be a goal-line dropout, eliminating the scrum as a restart option.
– If a team fails to play the ball within five seconds of the referee’s “use it” call, the sanction will now be a free kick instead of a scrum.
– If a maul ends unsuccessfully, the restart will now be a free kick rather than a scrum.
Meanwhile, the following law relating to scrums, which was introduced during the 2024 MLR season, is set to continue: Teams awarded a penalty kick at a scrum will no longer be able to opt for a further scrum at the reset.
The introduction of the new law trials will mean MLR matches will resemble rugby league encounters as the only time there will be set scrums in the tournament is when the ball is dropped or fumbled.
While MLR’s organisers are hoping to reduce stoppages and speed up the pace of the game, there was plenty of criticism at the proposed changes from fans on social media.
Reaction
“Ill-considered, because scrum strength and even eventual dominance IS the best path for US rugby to rise from 15th to 5th over the next decade. Power applied to purpose. Big grunts. Hogs,” commented Harry Jones on X, formerly Twitter.
Theunis van Rensburg agreed and remarked: “What a strange set of rule changes. Why would the US move away from aspects of the game that could potentially become their main weapon?”
Meanwhile, Ryan T.Scott said: “Talk about a great way to kill the sport in the USA and destroy any future expansions, successes, or competitiveness vs the world. Maybe I’m misunderstanding something.”
Bears fanatic wrote: “The LEAGUE in MLR really coming to the fore here. Both codes are great, but why remove such an iconic part of the Union game.”
And Ouatère Brex added: “If you hate scrums so much why don’t you just switch code? You’re gonna love rugby league.”
READ MORE: Major League Rugby 2025: Start date, how to watch, live stream and playoff dates