The International Rugby Board has confirmed a rule change in relation to the new scrum engagement process.

Instead of an audible signal to the scrum-half, the match referee will now use non-verbal communication to indicate that the scrum-half is clear to feed the ball into the scrum.

Up until this point, the scrum-half had to wait for a "yes nine" command before feeding to his front row, which critics claim was giving an unfair advantage to the opposing pack.

Main image: Leinster's Eoin Reddan feeds a scrum ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne