However if he was foolish enough to drop-kick it ...
..and a team mate in front fielded/caught it before it crossed the 22m line (with a view to drop out at/around the 22) would that be an option of kick again or scrum under
[LAWS]13.13 Drop-out must cross the line [/LAWS]
or no option under
[LAWS]13.16 The kicker’s team
(a) All the kicker’s team must be behind the ball when it is kicked. If not, a scrum is formed at the centre of the 22-metre line. The opposing team throws in the ball.
(b) However, if the kick is taken so quickly that players of the kicker’s team who are retiring are still in front of the ball, they will not be penalised. They must not stop retiring until they have been made onside by an action of a team-mate. They must not take part in the game until they have been made onside in this way.
Sanction: Scrum at the centre of the 22-metre line. The opposing team throws in the ball.[/LAWS]
The law appears to never suggest a PK for being in front of the kicker and interfering? Unless perhaps the player in front was beyond the 22m line? Dunno???