World Rugby推出了最短版本的五人制比賽
據英國一家媒體報導，世界橄欖球總會(WR)已經批准了一項新的五人制(five-a-side)運動，今年將有可能在倫敦舉行國際比賽。
據“泰晤士報”報導，體育界的世界管理機構希望縮短的版本 - 橄欖球X(Rugby X)--可以改善遊戲的財務狀況並提升其國際吸引力，就像2020板球比賽那樣。
明年世界各地計劃再舉辦五場比賽，廣播公司ITV正在談判獲得展示將在倫敦O2體育館舉行的首場比賽的權利。
包括英格蘭，澳大利亞，威爾士，斐濟和法國在內的世界主要七人制橄欖球隊都是潛在的參賽者。
前英格蘭七人制隊教練Ben Ryan(註:里約奧運冠軍隊斐濟國家教練)幫助開發了新型的賽制，比賽持續10分鐘，並在室內的人工草地球場上進行。
橄欖球X強調快速的遊戲玩法，並沒有中場休息或改變換邊，而一旦達陣得分，從開踢將從防守方極陣線時恢復。
三人的scrums是無可爭議的，並且爭邊球被投擲取代，投擲將由擁有球權一方的替補隊員取得。
World Rugby introduces shortest version of game yet with five-a-side contest
World Rugby has given its approval for a new five-a-side version of the sport with an international tournament likely to be held in London this year, according to a UK media report.
The sport's world governing body is hopeful the shortened version - Rugby X - can improve the game's finances and boost its international appeal much like Twenty20 did for cricket, The Times report said.
Five more tournaments have been planned around the world for next year, with broadcaster ITV in talks to acquire rights to show the initial event to be held in London's O2 Arena, it added.
The world's major rugby sevens nations including England, Australia, Wales, Fiji and France are potential participants.
Former England Sevens coach Ben Ryan has helped develop the new format, where matches last 10 minutes and are played indoors on artificial grass pitches.
Rugby X lays emphasis on quick gameplay and does not have a halftime break or change of ends, while action resumes from the defending team's end after a try is scored.
The three-man scrums are uncontested and lineouts have been replaced by throws which will be taken by a substitute from the side which has possession.