Sorry if this has been discussed previously, I did a search and couldn't find it!
Has there been a change to the laws regarding kicking to touch from a penalty. Twice over the weekend I think I heard referees say "You can just take the lineout", instead of actually having to perform the kick to touch. When was this introduced?
In the Newcastle Falcons vs London Irish game yesterday the Falcons flyhalf still performed the actual kick, despite the penalty being on the 5m mark - why would you take the kick, there's no upside?
Also, the Falcons were awarded a penalty in the final seconds and the referee said that there was no time for the lineout. If you can now take the lineout 'instead' of the kick then surely no time has elapsed?
Thinking about it both games were being watched after a couple of beers, so maybe I just dreamt it?
Has there been a change to the laws regarding kicking to touch from a penalty. Twice over the weekend I think I heard referees say "You can just take the lineout", instead of actually having to perform the kick to touch. When was this introduced?
In the Newcastle Falcons vs London Irish game yesterday the Falcons flyhalf still performed the actual kick, despite the penalty being on the 5m mark - why would you take the kick, there's no upside?
Also, the Falcons were awarded a penalty in the final seconds and the referee said that there was no time for the lineout. If you can now take the lineout 'instead' of the kick then surely no time has elapsed?
Thinking about it both games were being watched after a couple of beers, so maybe I just dreamt it?