"Crouch, touch, set"

Back in June, The International Rugby Board announced a trial for new scrum calls to be introduced throughout the rugby union game next season. There had been calls from various  corners to change the call the referee makes prior to the scrum. The new call - "crouch, touch, set" will replace the old "crouch, touch, pause, engage." Many believe that a high number of resets are due to this more prolonged process leading to scrums collapsing. For example, the two syllable word "en-gage" means that these extremely strong athletes react at different times compared to the short one syllable word "set".

Hopefully this will be slightly safer for the players involved but also a better, more fluent game for the spectators to watch. It is important to rugby that the scrum is not lost as the idea of two packs of men colliding with strength, power and technique is what makes the game unique. However, we shall have to wait three years while the IRB's Steering Group complete their findings. 

Have you been watching the domestic season so far? Do you think the new calls have made an impact on the game?

RIP Nevin Spence

Speaking of the domestic rugby union season over a month has past and the RaboDirect12 and Aviva Premiership are fully underway. Northampton sitting on top down south with five wins from five and Ulster doing the late Nevin Spence proud sitting top of the celtic league. A shocker so far for Sale whom signed an array of big players including Scotland's own Richie Gray but are currently sitting bottom of the league not having won a game. At the other end of the RaboDirect 12 it is both the Italian sides Treviso and Zebre whom again have failed to make much of an impact. Although, with the European competitions starting next weekend could we see a shift in team line ups and results? Will wait and see!

Here are the fixtures for both leagues this weekend;

Friday, 5 October 2012

Sale v Leicester, 20:00

Zebre v Ospreys, 18:05

Scarlets v Newport-Gwent D'gons, 19:05

Ulster v Connacht, 19:05

Edinburgh v Treviso, 19:30

Saturday, 6 October 2012

Gloucester v Bath, 14:15

Exeter v Harlequins, 15:00

London Irish v Northampton, 15:00

Cardiff Blues v Glasgow, 18:30

Leinster v Munster, 18:30

Sunday, 7 October 2012

London Welsh v Saracens, 14:15

Wasps v Worcester, 15:00