As England touched down in New Zealand yesterday and Ireland gear up for the first of the southern hemisphere international matches against the All Blacks on Saturday, the IRB issued a stern reminder to referees. They have been told to follow guidelines laid down at last month's board meeting and apply the law as written, to ensure a fairer contest for possession and a better game.

In one way the IRB directive is an acknowledgement that the experimental law variations (ELV) to be introduced worldwide from August are far from necessary. If referees can pick and choose which laws to apply, depending on the competition or local requirements, confusion will continue to reign. They have been told, for example, to ensure a straight feed of the scrum, a rule that is seldom enforced.

There is a roundabout admission that the pick-and-drive that has become a means of winding down the clock at the end of a tight contest or using up the time a player spends in the sin-bin is a blight on the sport. Referees tend to weight such situations in favour of the team in possession, but they have been told to prevent players sealing off the ball at the breakdown and to permit players from both teams, if they are on their feet, competing for the ball at a ruck.

“The ELV have shown that the game has evolved and the laws haven't followed suit,” an IRB official said yesterday. “The combination of the experimental laws and better application by officials should ensure a better game.”

There is also a reminder that sharp practice will not be tolerated. There will be a more rigorous check on players' clothing in the tunnel, in addition to the one carried out in the respective changing-rooms, to ensure that players have not changed the studs on their boots or put on heavier-duty protective garments than the law allows.

The directives have applied since June 1, but the first wave of internationals this month, involving northern hemisphere teams, will accord with existing law. However, the Tri-nations tournament played by South Africa, New Zealand and Australia in July and August will adopt the ELV that have been in use during the Super 14 tournament and will also permit the pulling down of the maul and the change in lineout numbers.