Four new laws - including conversion shot clocks and less penalising of crooked line-out throws - will be introduced into the game worldwide from January.

By Mitch Phillips LONDON (Reuters) -Four law trials aimed at speeding up the game, reducing time-wasting and "enhancing the fan experience" will be introduced on a global trial across all competitions that start from Jan.

World Rugby Council members have rejected two proposed law trials at the latest council meeting in Dublin. Proposals for a global trial to call a mark inside the 22-metre line from kick-offs, and to make teams play the ball after a maul has been stopped once,

The most powerful position in rugby will be filled in the election for the next chairman of the sport’s global governing body in Dublin on Thursday.

New World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson faces a host of challenges but the matter of player welfare should be well within the scope of a man who once stated that people's well-being was a priority. The 54-year-old Australian not only brings empathy but also a distinguished playing career,

Australia's Brett Robinson became the first chairman of World Rugby from the southern hemisphere after edging French rival Abdelatif Benazzi in a vote on Thursday. Robinson obtained 27 votes with former French international Benazzi receiving 25 in the second round of World Rugby Council voting.