Defenders leave a ruck. is it over?

[Andy P]

Hi,

Ruck formed, ball towards the back on Blue's side. Red players all step back from the ruck, disengaging. I take it that is the end of the ruck?

 

[Toby Warren]

Not in my games otherwise it would remove all offside lines at the will of the defence and chaos would follow.

 

[Camquin]

Ruck ends successfully when the ball leaves 16.6 or unsuccessfully when it becomes unplayable and a scum is ordered 16.7. It also ends if a penalty or free kick is awarded.
The laws do not allow any other way to end the ruck.

 

[Womble]

The defending team can not de ruck a ruck neither can they de maul a maul

 

[The Fat]

Ruck ends successfully when the ball leaves 16.6 or unsuccessfully when it becomes unplayable and a scum is ordered 16.7. It also ends if a penalty or free kick is awarded.
The laws do not allow any other way to end the ruck.

Also ends when the ball is over the goal line.

 

[The Fat]

Not in my games otherwise it would remove all offside lines at the will of the defence and chaos would follow.

Agree with this 100% but I wonder why the IRB don't add similar wording to the ruck law as they do for when all defenders leave a maul so that the offside lines are clear to all for the defending team ie: foremost foot of the foremost player (of the team in possession).
Just saying.

 

[Ciaran Trainor]

would be interesting to see if a team in possession after the "de-ruck" could control the ball well enough to strat walking up the pitch

 

[Phil E]

[LAWS]Clarification 3 2007

Ruling in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee
Ruling3-2007
UnionGRU
Law Reference16
Date 1 October 2007
Request
1. 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?

Ruling in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee
A ruck ends successfully when the ball leaves the ruck or when the ball enters in goal i.e. on or over the goal line.

A ruck ends unsuccessfully when the ball becomes unplayable.

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.[/LAWS]

 

[Browner]

would be interesting to see if a team in possession after the "de-ruck" could control the ball well enough to strat walking up the pitch

Nah.... they'd travel <5m, before defenders rejoined the ruck to stop them :shrug:

 

[Andy P]

Thanks everyone.