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,

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,

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