The International Rugby Board Council approved a global trial of Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) for a 12-month period starting on August 1.

The trial will cover all levels and involve 13 of the 23 ELVs, dubbed Stellenbosch after the South African university where the rules were first tested out.

The new rules have been introduced on an experimental basis in approved tournaments around the world, including the Super 14, since 2006 and now will be rolled out in the northern hemisphere.

"The Council's decision to implement a global trial of Experimental Law Variations represents an important milestone for the future of the Game," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"It vindicates the process that was adopted by Council in 2004 for future Law amendments.

"The Council congratulated the Law Project Group on its unprecedented work over the past two years.

The IRB said the southern hemisphere would continue to play under the various ELV program environments that currently exist.

"It would be unfair to change the playing environment under which countries in the south are currently playing in competitions such as the Super 14," Lapasset said.

The ELVs are designed to help promote more ball in play and attractive free-flowing rugby and have already been trialled in the southern hemisphere.

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