World Rugby are reportedly looking to introduce a scrum clock to remove one of the biggest blights in the game – as long as safety comes first.
It comes after the alarming revelation that the ball was in play for only 36 minutes and four seconds out of a possible 80 minutes during the knockout stages of last year’s World Cup.
The continual re-setting of scrums and constant intervention from referees remains one of the biggest bugbears for fans.
“As this year has shown, we have to have the ability to adjust and adapt,” said Wallabies star Scott Sio when asked about the prospect of a scrum clock.
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“And if that is something that is brought in, it’s something we’ll definitely have to train for and take some time to train for at least a month because it will require us to be a bit quicker at set-up time.
“Safety is paramount first and foremost.
“So whatever did help make the game exciting for the fan base but safe for the players at the same time, we’re all for it.”
Rugby Partners | Who are stars quarantining with?
The partners of rugby players in the UK are having to spend a lot more time with their other halfs due to the current lockdown.
Here we get to know the people behind the England, Scotland and Wales stars.
1. ANNABEL FIELD (HUW JONES)
Scotland centre Huw Jones is unafraid to show his love for girlfriend Annabel Field, describing the diminutive beauty as 'his everything' in an Instagram post. The couple are thought to have met in Glasgow but spend their time criss-crossing the globe - racking up visits to Monaco, Barcelona and the Bahamas in 2019 alone.
2. BECKY NORTH (GEORGE NORTH)
Former Olympic cyclist Becky is well and truly a match for her rugby player husband George in the sporting stakes, having won two silver medals in Rio in 2016. The pair are expecting their first child together in the next few weeks.
3. GILL HOGG (STUART HOGG)
The couple married in 2016 and welcomed son Archie, now four, later that year. They have since had daughter Olivia, two, and one-year-old George. Gill prefers to stay out of the spotlight but her proud husband can't help but gush over her on Instagram, calling her the 'best wife he could have asked for'. The family now live in Exeter, where Hogg plays for the Chiefs.
4. DR ANWEN JONES (ALUN WYN JONES)
Dr Anwen Jones, wife of Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones, 34, is a Welsh medium physiology and health lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Like her husband she's incredibly sporty - she's a former 400m hurdler and was Welsh champion from 2000-2007. The couple have two daughters.
5. ELLIE GRAY (RICHIE GRAY)
Huge 28-year-old Richie Gray towers above all at 6ft 10in but he doesn't leave his wife Ellie n the shade. She is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty queen who represented Scotland in Miss World 2014.
6. GEORGIE LYON (OWEN FARRELL)
The England star, 27, wed Georgina 'Georgie' Lyon, also 27, in 2018 and their first son, a rugby player in the making, Tommy, arrived in March 2019. The couple also have a dog, Ron, but you're unlikely to find either baby or pet on social media, Georgie is happy to let her husband do the talking via his rugby.
7. BAZ JONES-DAVIES (NIGEL OWENS)
The popular Welsh referee began dating the Primary School Teacher. After attending the World Cup with Owens, they took their relationship to the next level, and now run a farm together.
8. ALYSE MILLER (ANTHONY WATSON)
Bath player Anthony Watson's American girlfriend Miller has a successful career as an events planner and regularly shows off snaps from her jet-setting life on her Instagram account.
9. SOPHIER HARRIES (LIAM WILLIAMS)
She's the model fiancee of Scarlets star Liam Williams and has just been signed up to London model agency Models 1. Harries describes herself as a small town Welsh girl living in London. We think we'll add totally gorgeous to the list.
10. SOPHIE MAY (JONNY MAY)
The Personal Trainer in Market Harborough married the England speedster two years ago.
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