Sloane worried new law will ruin scrum contest

SAINTS forwards coach Peter Sloane is worried the new scrum laws will nullify the physical battle of scrummaging.

The game's rulers the International Rugby Council brought in the new laws to make the scrum safer on January 1. A working group headed by ex-England front-rower Jason Leonard came up with the idea for props to touch each other to make sure they are close enough for the referee to call "engage".

Saints' first experience of the new law was in the 10-9 defeat against Worcester and head coach Paul Grayson was scathing about its introduction. Sloane doesn't think it has added anything to the game and doesn't believe the scrum is any safer.

"The concern as a scrum coach is that it is certainly taking away from the contest," said Sloane, a former hooker, who joined Saints at the end of last season after stepping down as head coach at Auckland Blues.