Uncontested scrums should be a rarer sight in rugby in the coming season after the International Rugby Board (IRB) today sanctioned the inclusion of an extra man on the bench.

The amendment to Law 3 allows for 23 players, rather than 22, in matchday squad, with three frontrow replacements to be included so as to reduce the number of times injuries negate a crucial part of the game.

The rule change can be adopted by any domestic union. The ERC and the Magners League can also implement the change if the respective unions involved agree.

“The alteration allows National Unions with jurisdiction over matches in their territory the option of allowing up to eight named replacements in a match day squad. This will also operate for cross-border club or provincial competitions with the agreement of the respective Unions involved,” said an IRB statement this afternoon.

“At this stage the amendments to Law 3 are for domestic implementation only by respective unions, but the IRB will monitor the implementation of the amended Law within competitions. The implementation will not apply to international matches.”

If implemented, three specialist frontrows, two props and a hooker, must be included among the eight replacements.

If all suitable replacements are unable to continue and another injury occurs, the injured player may not be replaced, so as to avoid giving an advantage to the team going to uncontested scrums.

The English RFU has already announced its decision to implement the change, while it appears likely other unions will follow suit, given the fact the amendment came about “following requests by several member unions to address the issue”.