The former England rugby international Rob Andrew has warned fans could be turned off by the way the laws of the game are being interpreted.
Andrew, who is now the Rugby Football Union's director of elite rugby, believes the way the laws are being applied is reducing entertainment for spectators.
Andrew added that newly-introduced law variations make teams fearful of taking the ball into contact, with the result they are kicking for territory too often.
But the IRB says it will not consider any law changes before the next World Cup, in New Zealand in 2011.
Martyn Thomas, the chairman of the RFU's management board, says English rugby was lucky to have extremely dedicated fans, but their support should not be taken for granted.
