Chris White has officiated in three World Cups

Worcester Warriors have brought in one of the country's top referees to go through the law changes ahead of the new season.

Chris White has been at Sixways explaining the variations in the laws to both players and coaches.

Director of rugby Mike Ruddock told BBC Hereford and Worcester: "Chris was very good at explaining the new variations.

"I think he was also surprised by the quality of questions that he got from the players."

"In the end I had to write down some of the questions and e-mail them to him.

"There's been a lot to go through, and we've had a big think tank with players and coaches this week." Mike Ruddock

"He was then able to contact the ERB to get clarification in a number of areas.

"Already it's given us the opportunity to challenge the way we operate the new laws, and how we have to adapt to them."

Ruddock says he has been watching a lot of games on television from the Southern Hemisphere to see how the laws have changed the game.

"It didn't seem like a whole lot had changed in the New Zealand against South Africa game, but the rain may have been a factor as it was a difficult day to play too much rugby.

"The fact that you can pull down the maul when it's on the move is a big change, and that was evident in the game at the weekend.

"The other big one is that defences and attackers have to stand five metres back from the scrums.

"On a dry day with a fast track those extra metres will make a difference.

"The line out will change as well as you don't have to match up with the numbers of the opposition.

"There's been a lot to go through, and we've had a big think tank with players and coaches this week."