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,

Brett Robinson will become the first World Rugby chair from the southern hemisphere after winning the election to succeed England's Bill Beaumont.

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,