Essex Rugby Union Referees Society

Doubt about grounding Law 22.15

Scenario

Team A kick the ball into their opponents in goal. Both a player from Team A and Team B dive for the ball. The referee refers to the TMO for decision of try or no try and also if any foul play has occurred. On viewing the evidence the TMO advises no foul play has occurred and that it is inconclusive as to who last plays the ball as the ball is in the air when both players go for it. The ball then goes dead. Read More »

Changes were recently made to Game Regulations 7.2 and 7.3. 

The Regulation has, however, now been revised as the iRB has ruled that it is not permissible for the referee to require that an additional player be removed from the field of play when a front row player is temporarily or permanently suspended and uncontested scrums result.  Read More »

The request for a Ruling arises from the way that players are required to join a ruck which appears to be covered by a number of sections in the Law Book and in particular:

Law 16.2 (b)
A player joining a ruck must bind onto the ruck with at least one arm around the  body of a team-mate using the whole arm.

Law 10 4 (j) Players must not charge into a ruck or maul without binding onto a player in the  ruck or maul. Read More »