The amendments, which deal with front-row replacements, advantage, touch, penalty tries and time-keeping, were first proposed by member unions and then considered by the Law Review Group (LRG) and Rugby Committee. 

They were then trialled on a closed basis in various competitions around the world.

Having achieved positive results from those trials, the LRG and Rugby Committee recommended to the Council that the trials be expanded globally.

In line with the law review timelines, the trials are due to begin on January 1, 2017 in the southern hemisphere and August 1, 2017 in the north and will last for an initial period of one year.

The 2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and June internationals will be played under the global law trials.

Uncontested scrums as a result of a sending off, temporary suspension or injury will now be played with eight players per side.

The second amendment says that "if a penalty is kicked into touch after time has elapsed without touching another player, the referee allows the throw-in to be taken and play continues until the next time the ball becomes dead".

This is hoped to discourage teams from infringing in the dying moments of the game.

When there are multiple penalty infringements by the same team, the referee may now allow the captain of the non-offending team to choose the most advantageous of the penalty marks.

Meanwhile, if a player would probably have scored a try if not for foul play by an opponent, a penalty try is now to be awarded and no conversion will be attempted.

The fifth change suggests that a player who is attempting to bring the ball under control is deemed to be in possession of the ball.

It means that a player "juggling" the ball does not have to be in contact with it at the exact moment of touching the touchline or the ground beyond it for the ball to be deemed to be in touch.

"World Rugby continually reviews the laws to ensure that the game is as enjoyable, simple and safe as possible at all levels," said World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.

"I would like to thank our unions for their full support throughout the process, the experts who evaluated the closed trial data and look forward to seeing the results of the global trial."

Some proposed law amendments did not win approval for global trial at this stage and will be examined further.

"These law amendments, which will go to global trial next year, are designed to improve the experience of those playing and watching the game at all levels and to avoid negative play where possible," added Rugby Committee chairman John Jeffrey.

"We will gather all the data from the trial and then present it to the LRG and Rugby Committee for further consideration."