Ruddock laying down the new law

Mike Ruddock has revealed his Warriors are already preparing a game plan to take full advantage of the new law changes coming into force this season.

All 12 Guinness Premiership Directors of Rugby have already been down to Twickenham to see discuss the new ELVs with the RFU and the referees before they go live this season.

The variety of new laws include scrum defences having to stand five metres back and the ability to pull down the maul and Ruddock plans to make sure his team adapt to take full advantage.


Top referee Chris White has already been invited to Sixways Stadium to talk the squad through the changes and Ruddock has also called on his squad to work closely together to make sure they hit the ground running under the changes come the start of the season.


“Pre-season has gone really well, I have been really pleased with the composition of the programme that the players are working to. There is a lot of variety between the conditioning, developing strength and power and the skills,” said Ruddock.


“There is also the challenge of the new ELVs which we have already discussed and looked at in great detail.


“Chris White came in to work the boys through each of the new laws in detail on only the second day of pre-season which was really useful. The players and coaches offered up a number of questions, some of which he could clarify and others he has gone back to the IRB for further clarification.


“I was really impressed with the quality of questions from the players. After the session we got into groups to look at the impact they will have on our style of rugby and how we can adapt to use them to our benefit.


“We have been coming up with innovations which we feel we can put to use and put us a step ahead of anyone else.


“We have also looked every week at games in the Southern Hemisphere and at how the new laws have had an impact in New Zealand and South Africa. We have done this every week with the tactical group of players and then with the whole squad.


“The process is well on its way and we are a fair way down the track in preparing our game plan, plays and patterns to maximise the opportunities that the ELVs will give us.”


Ruddock has now welcomed most of the playing squad to Sixways Stadium for pre-season with now just over a month until the first competitive action of the season in the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham (August 16).


The Sixways supremo has also been delighted with the way that new boys Matthew Jones, Ben Jones and Hal Luscombe have fitted into the environment at Warriors.


“Matt and Ben have settled in really well. They are looking to impress at every opportunity and really relishing the environment at the club. They seem very happy and settled,” added Ruddock.


“Hal Luscombe is working hard even though he is still on crutches. He is doing lots in terms of conditioning and that will allow him to return to rugby in excellent condition. It’s been important for Hal to also been around the players and embrace the culture we have at the club now.


“Sam Tuitupou was delayed in his return to the club due to visa problems. But now he is back with the players and has, as ever, certainly livened the place up with his bubbly character.


“One player we are missing is Netani Talei who has enjoyed a successful Pacific Nations campaign with Fiji and also just celebrated the birth of a baby with his partner. All the players are delighted for him.


“We have given Net a programme to follow back in Fiji and allowed him to remain with his partner to offer her support during the busy first week of their new arrival.


“Both our young England players in Matt Cox and Miles Benjamin have returned after breaks. Matt Cox actually came back a week early to training, he just wants to be involved and part of it. He plans to make an impact and I’m delighted with his attitude.


“Miles Benjamin has also come back to the club after a two-week break and he will quickly catch up and is working hard in training.”


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