Rugby union's world governing body, keen to stop player burn-out in the busy fixture lists of the professional era, has called on countries to make sure top players get an eight-week break during the year.
"In the interests of player welfare at the elite level, it is recommended that there should be a minimum eight-week break," the International Rugby Board (IRB) said in a statement.
Leading coaches are worried that players are being forced to play too often.
After a council meeting the IRB also said it planned to take a lead in dealing with referee abuse. It has also approved two minor law changes.
All starts and restarts of matches will be by means of a drop kick in the future instead of a place kick.
"This will come into effect on 1st June 2002 in the Southern Hemisphere in time for the Tri-Nations series and on 1st August 2002 in the Northern Hemisphere," the IRB said.
The IRB council also agreed that in order to help speed up play, referees should be encouraged to penalise sides delaying the formation of a line-out by ordering a free kick against them.