[Ruck] What are the defender's options?

[ChrisR]

This from Scotland v. Italy: https://youtu.be/95WJjTFFeTc?t=973

The ball is suddenly exposed at the back. Is the ruck over? Grabbing the SH is not OK but can they dive on the ball?

[LAWS]16. Players must not:


d. Fall over the ball as it is coming out of a ruck.
[/LAWS]

Does that apply?

 

[beckett50]

One presumes you are speaking of the ruck at the start of the clip?

Quite simple, the defender must come from an on-side position and remain on their feet. Nothing to stop one of the 'sentry's' coming a claiming the ball. The Italian player that made a grab for the #9 was off his feet and so couldn't (legally) contest for the ball.

Does this answer your question?

 

[Pinky]

Also doubtful if from a TV perspective the ball was out of the ruck. There seemed to be one foot beyond it, although a whole flock of seagulls could have left their mark on the ball. Laidlaw is not normally the worst at rolling the ball back so far from a ruck, look at Wales and Ireland to see how to do it properly!