Clarification 3-2002

Ruling in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

Request

The RFU has requested a ruling with regard to the following point of Law:

A receiver in the Line-out is clearly defined. Page 103 (Definitions) Apart from receiving the ball from the Line-out this Receiver has an additional option which is Exception 2 on page 109.

Members of the RFU Laws Task Group have a view that this player (the Receiver) may, of course, take the option as mentioned in Exception 2 and in so doing he may be supported by other players in the Line-out.

However we consider that is the total extent of his possible involvement and that he is not permitted to run into a gap in the Line-out to support a jumping team mate.

Ruling of the designated members of the Rugby Committee

Exception 2, states in part that a receiver may run into a gap in the line-out and take the ball. This is the only act he is entitled to perform under this Exception 2. To support a player in the line-out is therefore transgressing this Exception 2 and is penalisable by a penalty kick at the point noted in Law.