News

We've recently received a couple of Law clarifications from the IRB, they are detailed below:

The question is:

A ruck is formed and the ball is playable for Team A. All players in Team B now leave the ruck and step back. Is there still a ruck or has the ruck ended?

The Designated Members have ruled the following in answer to the question raised:

1. A ruck ends successfully when the ball leaves the ruck or when the ball enters in goal ie. on or over the goal line.

2. A ruck ends unsuccessfully when the ball becomes unplayable.

3. As there has been a ruck formed initially, AND the criteria for a successful or unsuccessful ruck have not been exhibited, then the ruck has not ended.

2. IRB Council Decision – Dangerous Tackle

The Council had before it a report from the IRB Judicial Chairman who had expressed serious concern with regard to a decision of an Appeal Committee based upon an interpretation of Law 10 4(e) which relates to high tackles.

The interpretation suggested that the tackle would have to start at a level above the line of the shoulders for it to be dangerous and in contravention of Law 10 4 (e).

Following discussion it was AGREED that the following interpretation be applied:

A dangerous tackle is effected whenever there is contact above the line of the shoulders whether the contact is the first or a subsequent point of contact. To be clear, a tackle which involves arm contact below the line of the shoulders and thereafter contact is made with either the neck or the head of the tackled player is a dangerous tackle within Law 10.4 (e)