SInce December World Rugby has issued three clarifications in law. See below for an outline of each one, with a link to the World Rugby site for a full explanation and supporting videos.

Reminder - Law Clarifications are not new laws, but instead add clarity and further explanation for existing laws. Law Clarifications are important for interpreting and applying the Laws of the Game.

• Ruck "Side Extension" - December 2021
  • Players are discouraged from extending a ruck sideways in order to close the space of an opposing halfback playing the ball. Any players bound to a ruck must retreat to the hindmost foot before being involved with play once the ruck has finished.
• Goal Line Dropout Scenarios - January 2022
  • Situations where there is doubt about grounding, or a defender being held up, have been clarified as to when a Goal Line Dropout would occur.
• Diving on a Ball Emerging from a Ruck - January 2022
  • The ball is deemed to be emerging from a ruck when it is in motion away from a ruck, or sitting just beyond the hindmost player. A player must not dive on the ball if it is near the ruck (near = within 1m).

Article added: Saturday 05 February 2022