The breakdown is, and always will be, a difficult area to police. There must always be a balance and a fair contest between the side in possession and the defence. When it comes to penalties, the benefit of the doubt is usually, and rightly, given to the side with the ball and it was to accentuate this point that new laws are being trialled at the breakdown.

Previously, a tackler could regain his feet and play the ball from the opposition side of the ball. A ruck and the subsequent offside line were not set until one player from either team was in contact over the ball on the floor. Now a tackler must go back round to his own side of the ball before he can join the breakdown and the ruck and the offside line is formed when only one player is over the ball.

The new laws have given the side in possession a small advantage but players and coaches are now trying to stretch the tackle law, causing confusion and if this not sorted out it could tilt the balance too far in favour of the attacking side.