New rugby laws announced to finally stop behaviour that's driving players and viewers mad

World Rugby have announced new rules to clamp down on disruption from backroom staff during matches after ruling it was "getting out of hand".

For the first time, teams can be sanctioned because of the actions of non-playing personnel, with sides to now have a penalty awarded against them for indiscretions.

The World Rugby Council has revealed its global trial to limit the number of incidents where non-playing personnel enter the field of play during a match, which comes into force after July 1. A revised protocol is coming in for when medics and water carriers can enter the field to reduce potential interference, and a set of sanctions will be available for "any action that either interferes with play or is against the values of the sport".

Incidents during last summer's Lions tour, in particular, were a cause for frustration for fans as a member of the Springboks' backroom staff was on the pitch during a crucial moment in the third Test. In this year's U20s Six Nations, too, a member of England's medical team was criticised for his response to a potential concussion as he piled pressure on the referee to keep his player on the field.

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Both types of incidents are among those to be clamped down upon, along with the water carrier role famously occupied by South Africa's Rassie Erasmus in last summer's Lions series. At the time, regulations said only the head coach was prevented from water carrying so Erasmus was able to deliver coaching instructions to players on the field.

World Rugby say the new trials are aimed to improve the flow of matches by reducing unnecessary stoppages without compromising