The governing body made the changes regarding offside on kicks in open play, the options available on a free kick and the removal of a player's “crocodile rolling”.
These “fan-centric” law changes are intended to promote ball flow and diversity of attacking options, while supporting player welfare.
“I would like to thank my colleagues from across the sport for embracing the spirit of this comprehensive assessment of rugby's entertainment factor,” World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said on Thursday.
In open play kick tennis, it will no longer be possible for a player to be put onside if an opponent catches the ball and runs five meters, or passes the ball, which should reduce the amount of kick tennis in play.
It will also no longer be possible to select a scrum from a free kick. Free kicks must be tapped or kicked to promote more ball flow.
The act of rolling/twisting/pulling a player onto his feet in the tackling area (the “crocodile roll”) is prohibited and punishable by a penalty.
The legislative changes will come into effect from July 1.
World Rugby also announced a series of lawsuits, including the ability to substitute a red-carded player after 20 minutes, and the introduction of a shot clock for scrum and lineout settings.
Other attempts include a law saying the ball must be played after the maul has been stopped once, not the current two, and for the ability to mark the ball into the 22 from a restart.
They will also test play at a lineout if the ball is not thrown straight, but only if the lineout is uncontested, and another law aimed at protecting the scrum half at the base of the scrum, ruck and maul.
The halfback cannot be played while the ball is still near a tackle, ruck or maul, and the offside line at the scrum for the non-putting-in scrum half will be the center of the tunnel.
“I personally believe that the changes in the law and the series of closed trials will add to the entertainment factor,” Beaumont said. “As with all trials, we will extensively assess its effectiveness and gather feedback from across the game,” Beaumont said.