THE introduction of an NRL shot clock next season will take its most significant step with two matches set to trial the technology this weekend.

Time limits will be placed on scrums and dropouts during the under-20s Holden Cup competition between Cronulla and the Wests Tigers on Saturday and Gold Coast and Canberra on Sunday.

All four teams will have 35-seconds to pack a scrum and 30-seconds to complete a dropout.

Matches during the upcoming rounds 25 and 26 to complete the season will also trial the technology.

A shot clock counting down the seconds will feature on the jumbo screen at each ground.

TV viewers watching during Fox Sports live coverage will also notice a clock appear in the corner of their screens.

Josh Jackson waits for the line goal drop out during a clash against the Panthers. Source: News Corp Australia

If a team fails to complete the task of packing of a scrum or dropout within the set time limit, a penalty will be awarded to the opposing side.

The technology has been designed in a bid to speed up the game and avoid time-wasting.

While the NRL have run a series of tests, this weekend will mark the shot clock’s first use during a live match.

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NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said a decision on the suitable time limits which will be introduced to the NRL next season would be determined on the back of the next three weekend’s of shot clock trials.

“We have put a lot of work into the shot clock technology and that work will continue over the closing rounds of the season, with real-time shot-clocks in place in selected Holden Cup matches,’’ Greenberg said.

“This is an opportunity to not only continue to trial the technology but also to finetune the appropriate time restrictions and rules attached to the shot clock.

“Following these trials, and in consultation with our stakeholders, we will decide on the appropriate time limits which we will attach to scrums and dropouts in the NRL next season.

“This is a significant step for us and, in conjunction with the reduction in interchange, is designed to give our fans a more entertaining game.”