So had the reply from HQ to clarify a few things, I am sure you will be receiving the updated rules via your club in the usual email chain manner
Scrum half must pass from the base of the scrum
[LAWS]12. g) Clarification Amendment – November 2014
The scrum half must pass the ball from the base of the scrum. He/She cannot run with the ball.[/LAWS]
Clarified the ambiguity question that Dan raised in this thread about free pass or scrum?
[LAWS]7. a) ii. A free pass is used: once forward momentum has been stopped and the ball has not been played away from the contact area.
Clarification Amendment – November 2014
Scrum at incomplete maul/ruck (
not a free pass).[/LAWS]
For the ruck they have added this clarification:
[LAWS]8. m) Clarification Amendment – November 2014
Progression of actions for supporting players at ruck.
Up to two supporting players may:
i. Rip the ball from the ball carrier but must then pass the ball immediately to a team mate; or
ii. Pick up the ball and pass away from the contact area; or
iii. If a ruck is not formed, pick up the ball and run; or
iv. Join to form a ruck but must do so from their own side (i.e. from the direction of their own goal line) and drive over the ball, taking their immediate opponent away from the ball
At the back of a ruck the next arriving player must pass the ball to another player.[/LAWS]
The maul regulation still reads like this (my emphasis):
[LAWS]8. b) A “maul” is formed when the ball carrier and tackler are joined by
two additional players from either the defending or attacking team. No more than 3 players from either side (including the ball carrier and tackler) can be involved in the maul.[/LAWS]
I notice that at the edited regulations at U10, U12 and U13 all read like this (my emphasis):
[LAWS]A “maul” is formed when the ball carrier and tackler are joined by
one additional player from either the defending or attacking team. {insert line here about numbers allowed for the age group}[/LAWS]
I have gone back to the RFU with my thoughts on this maul question and will update again when I get something back.
Still, at least that clears up three of the questions we raised here
Thanks,
Antony