Premiership Rugby has agreed to an overhaul in refereeing interpretations for the coming season, a move intended to boost England's prospects for next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia. The changes aim to better align officiating in club matches with the international game.
Key areas set to be policed differently include the offside line, the scrum – with a focus on the brake-foot law – and the breakdown. England coach Steve Borthwick has previously highlighted inconsistencies in how the breakdown is refereed in the Prem compared to the international stage.
It is understood that Borthwick met with directors of rugby last month, where the RFU's refereeing team presented the intended law interpretations. The absence of relegation from the Prem for the first time this season is understood to have been a significant factor in enabling the agreement.
The new season is scheduled to begin on Friday, with Northampton hosting Newcastle and Harlequins facing Bath.