The RFU is considering the future of the contested scrums

A working party was set up after Matt Hampson was paralysed during scrum practice with England Under-21s.

"We hope to be in a position to make some recommendations by Christmas," Martyn Thomas, chairman of the RFU's management board, told The Guardian.

"In the case of law changes we can only make recommendations to the IRB."

The laws of rugby union - the scrum

Leicester prop Hampson, who is paralysed from the neck down, was released from hospital five weeks ago after 16 months of treatment.

It is interesting that France has depowered scrums below level three (amateur level) Martyn Thomas RFU

Thomas admitted uncontested scrums aroused strong feelings among rugby union fans.

"The issue of whether scrums should be depowered is an emotive one, not least because it would take us a step nearer to rugby league," he said.

"But there is another school of thought which says that as scrums are only a means of restarting a game, why should risks be taken.

"It is interesting that France has depowered scrums below level three (amateur level)."

Unions are concerned about the potential costs of catastrophic injuries, with lifetime care for a paralysed player estimated at �6-8m.

And rugby union is bracing itself for a legal challenge arguing that is has a duty of care to players under its authority.

If the RFU adopted uncontested scrums as a policy, it would have to make a recommendation to the IRB laws committee, which in turn would have to present a case to the board's full council.