Rugby league bosses have decided that the scrum will return to the game after being banned from August 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns.
The reason given for the scrums to be outlawed was that there was too much close proximity contact in the scrums when COVID-19 transmissions were at an all-time high.
The ruling had huge implications for the game, as the scrum allowed six players from each side to be occupied, providing space for more attacking plays.
The scrum was replaced with the quick tap restart and was termed a handover of possession.
Teams were restricted in attacking opportunities as the scrum formed the basis of many of their attacking tactics.
Unlike in rugby union, there are no lineouts, so the scrum is the method of restart for a player knock-on, forward passes, and when the ball goes out of play.
Vaccination threshold among players achieved
Teams will now be able to work on their attacking plays from the scrum as most tries come directly from the set piece.
The Rugby Football League (RFL) had proposed for scrums to return to the game in December 2021, but the specified vaccination threshold was not reached.
The RFL wanted at least 85% of all players across the Super League and the Championship to be vaccinated.
This figure has finally been reached, which has allowed for the scrums to return.
The RFL said that it was happy that the Omicron variant was not as severe as other COVID-19 strains, and that the government’s easing of regulations was testimony to this.
The isolation period for close contacts has also been reduced.
This news will be welcomed by players and coaches alike as the World Cup is due to start in October.
This is the delayed date due to the pandemic.
