Referees, World Rugby has recently issued three law clarifications. Those clarifications have been truncated below, but the full descriptions are available via the links below.

Clarification # 7 – “The Bunny Hop”

Scenario: Team A are awarded a scrum. After winning the ball in the ensuing scrum, the hindmost player in that scrum grasps the ball with his feet or ankles and, whilst still bound to the scrum, bunny hops forwards with the ball still caught between his feet/ankles. Is this action legal?

Clarification: The action of “bunny hopping” as described is not permissible. Law 20.9 (b) states that All players: Handling in the scrum. Players must not handle the ball in the scrum or pick it up with their legs. Sanction: Penalty kick.

There is no ambiguity in this law. Law 20.9 (c) refers to winning the ball whereas 20.9 (b) relates to play after the ball has been won.

Clarification #8 – Drop Out in 7s Variations

Scenario: (Note: this scenario is assuming a 7s match) Team A are awarded a 22 drop-out. The kick is correctly executed and the ball enters the opposing team’s in-goal area without having touched or been touched by a player in the process. A defending player picks up the ball within this area and touches down, making the ball dead. What should the referee’s decision be?

Clarification: For drop-outs, normal 15 a-side sanctions apply, even in the case of a sevens match.

Law 13.15: Drop-out goes into the opponents in-goal: 
(b) If the opposing team grounds the ball, or makes it dead, or if the ball becomes dead by going into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, they have two choices:

• To have a scrum formed at the centre of the 22-metre line from where the kick was taken and they throw in the ball, or
• To have the other team drop-out again

Clarification #9 – Drop Goal Attempt from Free Kick

Scenario: Team A is awarded a free kick. They opt for a scrum and win the ball. The ball is quickly passed to their fly half who drop kicks it through the posts and above the cross bar and the ball then becomes dead.

As we can see, Law 21.6 determines that the attempted drop goal is not valid, however no mention is made to how play should restart. Should the referee restart play by:

1. awarding only a scrum at the place of the attempted drop goal? This decision appears to be valid according to Law 21.4(c)
2. awarding only a 22 drop-out? This decision appears to be valid according to Law 13.10 Definitions, paragraph two and Law 22.7(a).

Law 22.8 appears to deny giving an option to the opposing team in either a scrum at the place of the attempted dropped goal or a 22 drop-out.

Due to the above-mentioned doubts within the Laws of the Game, we seek clarity on whether the attempted dropped goal following a free kick is considered to be:

1. an unsuccessful kick at goal/ unsuccessful dropped goal, in which case Laws 13.10 and 22.7(a) should apply?
2. a free kick incorrectly executed, in which case Law 21.4 should be applied?

Further to this; 3.) In the case the ball does not become dead after the attempted dropped goal, should advantage be applied?

Could you please clarify as the Laws of the Game do not clearly state how to restart play after
the attempted dropped goal has been taken?

Clarification: The illegal drop kick as described should be treated similar to a punt in general play i.e. play continues. If the ball becomes dead from the kick then Law 22.8 should apply.

Law 22.8: Ball kicked dead through in-goal
If a team kicks the ball through their opponents’ in-goal into touch-in-goal or on or over the dead ball line, except by an unsuccessful kick at goal or attempted dropped goal, the defending team has two choices:

• To have a drop-out, or
• To have a scrum at the place where the ball was kicked and they throw in.