Capuozzo touted for new position following recent World Rugby law changes

Ange Capuozzo was called up to the base of the scrum for the first time since 2019 on Saturday when he came on as a 51st-minute replacement for Simon Daroque in Toulouse’s Top 14 clash against La Rochelle.

Taking advantage of a new law designed to protect scrum halves, introduced by World Rugby at the start of the year, Capuozzo found his groove dictating the play at half-back without the stress and pressure that number 9s are traditionally under. The new laws dictate that the scrum-half without the ball must no longer encroach past the tunnel at the scrum, and that during mauls or rucks, any player involved must not play any opposition player within 1 metre of the breakdown.

Ruck: New 15.18

15.18: A player who is, or was part of the ruck may not play an opponent who is near it (within 1m), and who is attempting to play the ball away 
Sanction: Penalty 
(Current 15.18-19 renumbered) 

Maul: New 16.18 

Scrum: 9 stays at tunnel

19.30a Once play in the scrum begins, the scrum-half of the team not in possession:
a. Takes up a position near the scrum, no further than the centre line of the tunnel. with both feet behind the ball and close to the scrum but not in the space between the flanker and the number eight.

These new laws, which are currently being heavily debated by fans, are designed to allow scrum halves more space at the back of the ruck and thus increase the pace and fluidity of the game. Interestingly, while many scrum-halves will be thrilled with the attacking possibilities, some backup players could soon find themselves surplus to requirements.

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Testing out the possibilities of utilising an extra outfield player with more pace at the breakdown instead of a specialist scrum-half, Toulouse brought Ange Capuozzo on to play at number 9, using his excess speed and evasive running style to create problems in a tiring La Rochelle defence. By selecting the flying Italian on the bench, Toulouse were able to increase their versatility, selecting a player that can now clearly play in at least three different positions along the backline.

So, what does this mean for replacement number 9s moving forward? Do they need to make themselves more versatile, or faster, or is this simply an experiment that will not amount to anything? Let us know!