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Laws of Rugby

All 21 Laws of Rugby Union, World Rugby 2026. Each law includes official wording, plain-language explanations, and real-world examples.

Law 1: The Ground
01Law 1

The Ground

Defines the dimensions, markings, goal posts, and flag posts of a rugby field.

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Law 2: The Ball
02Law 2

The Ball

Specifies the size, shape, material, and air pressure of a rugby ball.

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Law 3: Team
03Law 3

Team

Covers team size, replacements, uncontested scrums, and player welfare processes.

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Law 4: Players' Clothing
04Law 4

Players' Clothing

Defines what players must wear, what is permitted, and what is prohibited.

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Law 5: Time
05Law 5

Time

Governs match duration, half-time, time-keeping, and conditions for ending a half.

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Law 6: Match Officials
06Law 6

Match Officials

Defines the roles and duties of the referee, assistant referees, touch judges, and TMO.

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Law 7: Advantage
07Law 7

Advantage

Allows play to continue after an infringement if the non-offending team benefits.

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Law 8: Scoring
08Law 8

Scoring

Defines how points are scored: tries (5pts), conversions (2pts), penalty goals (3pts), drop goals (3pts), and penalty tries (7pts).

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Law 9: Foul Play
09Law 9

Foul Play

Prohibits obstruction, unfair play, dangerous play, and misconduct. Sanctions include penalties, yellow cards (10-minute suspension), and red cards (permanent dismissal).

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Law 10: Offside and Onside in Open Play
10Law 10

Offside and Onside in Open Play

A player is offside if they are in front of the ball when it was last played by a teammate. An offside player must not interfere with play.

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Law 11: Knock Forward or Throw Forward
11Law 11

Knock Forward or Throw Forward

The ball must not be knocked or thrown forward (toward the opponents' dead-ball line). Accidental knock-ons result in a scrum; intentional ones are penalised.

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Law 12: Kick-off and Restart Kicks
12Law 12

Kick-off and Restart Kicks

Specifies how the game is started and restarted after scoring. Kick-offs are drop kicks from the centre; restart kicks follow scoring or the ball going dead.

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Law 13: Players on the Ground in Open Play
13Law 13

Players on the Ground in Open Play

Players who are on the ground in open play must immediately release the ball and move away from it. Other players must not fall on or over them.

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Law 14: Tackle: Ball Carrier Brought to Ground
14Law 14

Tackle: Ball Carrier Brought to Ground

Defines the tackle, and the duties of the tackler, tackled player, and other players arriving at the tackle. All must act quickly to keep the game moving.

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Law 15: Ruck
15Law 15

Ruck

A ruck forms when at least one player from each team is in contact over the ball on the ground. Players must use their feet to move the ball, not their hands.

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Law 16: Maul
16Law 16

Maul

A maul forms when the ball carrier is held by opponents while at least one teammate also binds on. Unlike a ruck, the ball is carried off the ground. The maul must keep moving or the referee calls "use it".

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Law 17: Mark
17Law 17

Mark

A player can call a "mark" by catching the ball cleanly in their own 22 or in-goal from an opponent's kick. The mark awards a free-kick at the point of the catch.

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Law 18: Touch, Quick Throw-in and Lineout
18Law 18

Touch, Quick Throw-in and Lineout

Covers when the ball is in touch, how to take a quick throw-in, and all lineout rules including formation, throw-in, offside, and lifting.

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Law 19: Scrum
19Law 19

Scrum

A scrum is a set piece where 8 forwards from each team bind together and contest for the ball. It is used to restart play after minor infringements. The engagement sequence is: crouch, bind, set.

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Law 20: Penalty and Free-Kick
20Law 20

Penalty and Free-Kick

Penalties are awarded for serious infringements and allow the kicker to attempt a goal or kick to touch. Free-kicks are for minor infringements and cannot score directly.

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Law 21: In-Goal
21Law 21

In-Goal

The in-goal area is behind each goal-line. Scoring a try requires grounding the ball in the opposition in-goal. This law defines grounding, touch-in-goal, the dead-ball line, and what happens in various situations.

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