Experimental Law Variation For Adult Club Rugby

In an effort to make scrummaging more stable and safe while maintaining the main principles of scrummaging, and encouraging continuity of play, the IRFU have introduced experimental law variations.

I.R.FU. Domestic Experimental Law Variation 2003/2004

SCRUM: Adult Club Rugby

The U/19 Scrum Law Variations will apply to the following levels of Adult Club Rugby:

All Ireland League Clubs 3rd team level & below

Qualifying League Clubs 2nd team level & below

All Club teams below Qualifying League level

U/20 Teams

WHY?

To make scrummaging more stable and safer. To maintain main principles of scrummaging. To encourage continuity of play.

WHAT?

Front rows coming together. Each prop must touch the opponent’s upper arm and then pause before the front rows meet. The sequence should be: Crouch, touch, pause, engage. No wheeling. A team must not intentionally wheel a scrum. Penalty: Penalty Kick No Turnover. If a wheel reaches 45 degrees, the referee must stop play. If the wheel is unintentional, the referee orders another scrum at the place where the scrum is stopped. The same team throw the ball in. Maximum 1.5 metres push. A team in a scrum must not push the scrum more than 1.5 metres towards their opponents’ goal-line. Penalty: Free Kick Ball must be released from the scrum. A player must not intentionally keep the ball in the scrum once the player’s team has heeled the ball and controls it at the base of the scrum. (The No. 8 is the only forward allowed to pick up the ball in the scrum) Penalty: Free Kick

FORMATION & REPLACEMENT DETAIL

In an 8 person scrum the formation must be 3-4-1, with the single player (Normally the number 8) shoving on the 2 locks. The locks must pack with their heads on either side of the hooker.

Exception: A team must have fewer than eight players in its scrum when either the team cannot field a complete team, or a player is sent off for Foul Play, or a player leaves the field because of injury.

Even allowing for this exception, each team must always have at least five players in a scrum.

If a team is incomplete, the scrum formation must be as follows:

If a team is without one player, then both teams must use a 3-4 formation (i.e. no No.8).

If a team is without two players, then both teams must use a 3-2-1 formation (i.e. no flankers).

If a team is without three players, then both teams must use a 3-2 formation (i.e. only front rows and locks).

When a normal scrum takes place, the players in the three front row positions and the two lock positions must have been suitably trained for these positions. If a team cannot field such suitably trained players because: either they are not available, or a player in one of those five positions is injured or has been sent off for Foul Play and no suitably trained replacement is available, then the referee must order uncontested scrums.

In an uncontested scrum, the teams do not compete for the ball. The team putting in the ball must win it. Neither team is allowed to push the other team away from the mark.

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