New experimental rules promoted by World Rugby and designed to make the game more fluid will come into force in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup this month, the competition organisers EPCR announced on Friday.
"Following World Rugby's decision to implement experimental global rules in all competitions starting from 1 January 2025, the EPCR confirms that these experimental rules will be adopted from the third day of the Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup," announced the body in a press release.
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The third round of both competitons takes place over the weekend January 10-12 with the changes being made to promote speed, space and contest and consequently "enhance fan and player experiences.".
The new rules include a 60-second limit for conversions, to bring it into line with that for penalties, as well as a 30-second preparation limit for line-outs which is the same as is currently in force for scrums.
It will also be possible to play on at an uncontested line-out, even when the throw is not straight, which previously gave rise to a scrum.
Finally, scrum halves will be better protected behind scrums, rucks and mauls.
The 20-minute red cards will not be in place with World Rugby confirming that the trial was not approved for progression, adding that a decision will be deferred to 2025.
France's Top 14 will introduce the same four changes in round 15 of the current campaign at the end of January.
