There is no limit on player numbers in line-outs this season

A new rugby season is looming on the horizon and players and fans alike will have to adjust to a few rule changes in the coming term.

The International Rugby Board is trialling a series of new measures that could make a significant impact on how the game is played.

Defending teams can now ground rucks and line-outs can contain limitless amounts of players. But these are just a couple of the changes brought in.

BBC Scotland rugby pundit John Beattie and former Scotland prop Peter Wright explain how the new laws will affect the game.

Grounding of mauls by defending teams: Previously teams were not allowed to collapse a maul. Now they can only do so by pulling another player down between the shoulder and the hips. If they ground it by grabbing their opposition outwith this area, it is still an offence.

Distance from scrums: Backlines must stay at least five metres away from the back of the scrum. Previously, they had to be level with the back foot of the scrum.

Passing back into the 22 to kick for territory: If the ball is passed back to within the 22 from outwith that area to be kicked into touch, there will no longer be any ground gained. However, if the ball started within the player's 22 metre line then it can be kicked into touch for a gain of ground as normal.

No player restrictions at line-outs: Each team's line-out must have at least two players in it, but as long as all players involved fit within the space between the five metre line and the 15 metre line, there is no upper limit. Previously, teams had to have equal or fewer than their opponents.

Defending line-outs: The receiver at the lineout (usually the scrum-half) must be two metres away from the lineout, while the player in opposition to the one throwing in the ball (usually the hooker) must stand in the area between the five metre line and the touchline but two metres away from the five-metre line. Previously, neither the scrum-half or hooker had to be two metres away.

Pre-gripping in line-outs: Players who are lifting in the line-out no longer need to wait until the ball has been released by the thrower before they grip the player being lifted. This formalises what players were doing in any case.

John Beattie BBC Scotland rugby pundit

Even with the rule changes, rugby is still rugby - you still have to pass the ball, kick the ball and tackle people.

Having to keep the backline five metres back from the scrum will mean teams will get across the gainline more often because there is more space for them to build up momentum going forward.

Not being able to pass the ball back into the 22 to kick for touch will mean there will be less kicking for touch and more kicking for field position.

It will open the game up more and mean there are less stoppages, but it could also mean the ball will spend more time in the air.

Now that defending teams can collapse a maul, it could actually mean there is less space around the park.

It does take the advantage away from heavier teams, but mauls also used to be a great way to suck 16 players into one area of the park - just like a scrum. With the new rules, the midfield will probably become much more cluttered.

Peter Wright Glasgow Hawks coach and former Scotland prop

At the top end of rugby, pre-gripping in the line-out probably won't make that much of a difference because those guys don't tend to pre-grip as it gives away who the ball is going to.

It is more of a safety issue for younger guys as it allows them to lift with more control.

It means you can't now have your hooker move in to help lifting in the line-out, but that is negated by the fact you can now have as many players as you like in the line-out anyway.

It really affects most the player who would be where your scrum-half is standing. Because that player can't now move until the ball has left the hooker's hands, it means you can't now have your second-row charging in to get involved in the line-out late on as two metres is a long way to go.

This is a good one from a Scotland perspective. It is very rare that we are the biggest side on the park and we often struggle to get the ball against the bigger teams that just keep the ball at the back of a rolling maul. So it gives the smaller teams a bit of a help.

England and Ireland don't want this one as they feel it takes away from one of their core strengths. It could make the game more open.

Rugby returns to BBC Radio Scotland 810MW at 2000 BST on Friday 22 August. Rugby Sportsound is hosted by John Beattie.

John Beattie and Peter Wright were talking to BBC Sport's Rory Macdonald