Rugby Union's 'sanctions' Experimental Law Variations are to get their first northern hemisphere trial in France, the International Rugby Board has announced.

The new rules, which see most penalty offences become free kicks instead, will be implemented over the next six months in France's Espoirs Championship - effectively the equivalent of the English Premiership's 'A' or reserve league.

The 'sanctions' ELVs were used in the recent Tri-Nations Champions and Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive John O'Neill insisted on Tuesday they deliver an improved game.

However, many in the northern hemisphere remain suspicious, arguing the controversial new framework amounts to nothing more than legalised cheating and that the ARU's enthusiasm has everything to do playing to the Wallabies' strengths and minimising their weaknesses.

Unlike a penalty, worth three points if kicked between the posts, a free kick cannot be scored from directly.

Thirteen of the 23 original ELVs have been adopted in an ongoing year-long global trial. The Espoirs Championship will be trialling an additional three.

The remainder were sent back to the IRB's laws project group.

A review process will begin in March with a decision on whether any or all of the new laws will be written into the rulebook on a permanent basis to follow in May.

"We have no hesitation saying we believe the sanctions deliver a better game. So we were extremely disappointed the sanctions ELVs failed to win support in May for global trialling at all levels," said O'Neill.

"We were equally disappointed when northern hemisphere unions failed to offer up competitions where the sanctions could be trialled.

"Let us hope others will now follow the lead of the French."

The three ELVS being trialled in the Espoirs Championship, in addition to the 13 being tested worldwide, state that for all offences other than offside, not entering through the gate, and foul play, the sanction is a free kick.

In addition, if the ball is unplayable at the breakdown of a tackle or ruck the side that did not take the ball into contact will receive a free kick.

Should a maul become unplayable, the team not in possession at the start of the maul will receive a free kick.

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