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World Rugby is planning to run trials on red cards and examine tackle height in the elite game as part of moves to improve the sport’s safety and appeal.<\/span><\/p>\n It is also looking at ways to speed up the game as part of a new five-stage plan unveiled on Tuesday.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The governing body says it is focused on “enhancing ball in flow, reducing stoppages and increasing welfare”.<\/span><\/p>\n World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said the measures would “excite the next generation of fans and players”.<\/span><\/p>\n “Change is in rugby’s DNA,” he added.<\/span><\/p>\n “That means being bold, embracing change by dialling up the entertainment value, making our stars more accessible and simplifying terminology and language used to explain rugby to those who are yet to fall in love with it.”<\/span><\/p>\n The first phase came into force on 19 March and sees minor changes to some laws of the game for speeding up play. The second phase similarly sees some changes aiding the speed of the game, and they will be considered by the World Rugby Council at its 9 May meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n Phase three will see trials adopted by unions in their domestic games “aimed at enhancing game continuity”. They include the expansion of the shot clock for scrum and line-outs and reduced kicking time.<\/span><\/p>\n But the proposed stage four could have the most impact on the sport. It will see specialist working groups set up to examine changes, including the results of the community tackle height trials across 11 unions and their “appropriateness for elite rugby”.<\/span><\/p>\n