Williams wary of new laws

Last Updated: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:26
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Wales flanker Martyn Williams feels new laws regarding the tackle area could lead to some confusion in the upcoming Six Nations.

The rules governing tackling have now been changed and tacklers must now give the tackled player time to release the ball before trying to take it off them.

Officials continue to tamper with the game in order to make it more appealing to spectators but Williams told Scrum V that the jury is still out as to how the new law will be interpreted by referees around the world.

"It's a bit of a grey area, the tackle, going into Saturday because they've adjusted some of the rules," he said. "So it's going to be one of those 'suck it and see' during the game, just finding out where you are.

"It's not ideal but that's just the game at the moment.

"Over the last few months players have been flopping on the tackle area and there's been penalties given to the defender.

"Whereas now we've been told you've got to release the tackled person first and then attempt to 'jackal' the ball.

"That's what we've been told, that's apparently how the referees are going to ref it, so at the moment none of us will have played in a game that's been 'reffed' that way so it's going to be new on Saturday."

Wales travel to Twickenham on Saturday for their opening Six Nations encounter and Williams feels it is very much down to referee Alain Rolland to set the tone for the match with the way he approaches the new laws.

"Obviously different referees will have different interpretations, so we've worked a lot on that this week for both scenarios," he added.

"It will make for more open games. You'll have a lot quicker ball from rucks and there won't be so many penalties given to the defensive side.

"The first 20 minutes is going to be interesting, everyone is going to be quite tentative maybe and trying to find their feet there but you get into it as the game goes on, so hopefully it won't be too much of an issue."



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