Law 16: Maul

A maul lets players compete for the ball, which is held off the ground.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16, Principle · recall

A maul can take place only in the field of play.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.1 · recall

A ball-carrier and at least one player from each team, bound together and on their feet.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.2 · recall

A player ripping the ball must stay in contact with the carrier until they have transferred the ball.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.2 · recall

Once formed, a maul must move towards a try line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.3 · recall

It runs through the maul participants' hindmost foot nearest that team's try line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.4 · recall

Players who leave a maul must immediately retire behind the offside line; they may rejoin.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.6 · recall

Carrier, a team-mate and an opponent, all standing and bound: a maul.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.2 · applied

Carrier, an opponent and a team-mate, bound and upright; then it must head for a try line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.2-3 · recall

Leavers must retire at once and may rejoin from onside.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.6 · recall

Joiners come from onside and bind on to the hindmost player. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.7b · recall

Heads and shoulders no lower than the hips when joining. Sanction: free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.7c · applied

The carrier may go to ground provided the ball is made available immediately; otherwise a scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.8 · applied

A player in possession must not slide or move backwards in the maul. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.10 · applied

Pulling or dragging an opponent out of a maul: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.11b · applied

When the team without the ball intentionally leaves completely, the maul continues.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.12 · applied

The first to rejoin must bind on the frontmost player of the team in possession.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.13 · recall

Joining players must bind on to the hindmost player in the maul. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.7b · applied

The maul continues; the first defender back binds on the frontmost attacker.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.12-13 · recall

Scrum, free-kick, penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.7-11 · recall

The referee instructs the team to use the ball, which must then be used within a reasonable time.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.14 · applied

A stopped maul may restart towards a try line provided it does so within five seconds.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.15 · recall

A maul ends successfully when the ball or carrier leaves it, the ball is on the ground, or it is on or over the try line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.16 · recall

The maul ends unsuccessfully: scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.17e · applied

A maul also ends unsuccessfully when the carrier goes to ground and the ball is not immediately available.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.17d · applied

A player who is or was in the maul may not play an opponent near it trying to play the ball away.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.18 · applied

After a direct catch of an opponent's kick, a scrum for any of these reasons goes to the catcher's team.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.19 · applied

A maul that collapses, not through foul play, ends unsuccessfully: scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.17b · applied

After a second stop, the ball must be used within a reasonable time.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.15 · recall

The catcher's team gets the scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 16.19 · recall