Scrum developmnet notes

[OB..]

In another thread Rushforth reminisced on the evolution of the scrum, so I thought it might be useful to list some keys dates.

1931 front row players: "no more than three" (first mention of numbers).
1950 exactly three in the front row. Otherwise any number.
1982 minimum of five in the scrum at all times.
1985 front rows required to crouch an arms length apart before engaging.
1988 If the scrum is wheeled more than 90 degrees it is reset.
1988 CTPE introduced - mandatory only for U19s.
1996 CTPE for all
1996 exactly 8 players in the scrum.
2002 ELV for turnover after 90 degree wheel
2009 wheel turnover becomes substantive,

I believe the 1985 law was informally enforced as "Crouch & hold - Engage", but that was not specified in the laws.

 

[SimonSmith]

Thanks OB - I find that interesting. (Not sarcasm)

 

[Lee Lifeson-Peart]

I thought CTPE came in in 1 Jan 2007? I think it came in a month or so after I started with YRS. Wasn't it CTE or something similar before that?

 

[damo]

I think some of your dates are a bit off there OB. CTPE came in just prior to the 2007 RWC. Before that it was "crouch and hold ... Engage".