Lions given the green light to maul South Africa

Rugby's law makers last night reinstated the maul into the sport and handed the Lions a potent weapon in their bid to defeat South Africa this summer.

The International Rugby Board adopted 10 of the controversial Experimental Law Variations, but, crucially, two of the ideas were ditched.

The Lions will be helped significantly now that opponents cannot pull down the maul and that teams will no longer be able to decide how many people to commit to the line-out.

The rules take effect from 23 May - a week before the Lions play their first game of the 10-match tour.

The Lions have picked forwards with real mauling power such as Simon Shaw, Paul O'Connell, Joe Worsley, Andrew Sheridan, Andy Powell and Nathan Hines.

Lions defence coach Shaun Edwards said: "The Lions and South Africa have good mauling forwards. Those players have been brought up on the art of mauling and it will add to the spectacle of the Test series."