Law 19: Scrum

A scrum restarts play with a contest for possession after a minor infringement or stoppage.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19, Principle · recall

In the scrum zone at the point closest to the infringement.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.1 · applied

The non-offending team throws in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.1 · applied

When the defending team plays or takes the ball into in-goal and makes it dead, the attacking team throws in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.1 · applied

An unplayable tackle or ruck: the team last moving forward throws in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.1 · applied

Failure to "use it" at a scrum, ruck or maul: the team not in possession throws in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.1 · applied

After a reset with no infringement, the ball is thrown in by the team that previously threw it in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.1, 19.35 · recall

A knock or throw forward at a lineout: the scrum is 15 metres in from the mark of touch.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.1 · applied

The non-offending team throws in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.1-3 · recall

An incorrect kick-off: the scrum is as near as possible to the middle of the line it was taken from.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.1 · recall

Teams must be ready to form the scrum within 30 seconds. Sanction: free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.4 · recall

Eight from each team: two props and a hooker, two locks and three back-row players.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.5 · recall

A reduced team may have fewer in the scrum, but never fewer than five.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.6 · applied

The hooker binds with both arms, either over or under the arms of the props.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.7b · recall

Heads go to the left of their immediate opponents', so no head touches an opponent's neck or shoulders.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.10b · recall

Loose-head: left arm inside the tight-head's right arm, gripping the back or side of the jersey.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.11a · recall

Each front-row player must have both feet on the ground with their weight firmly on at least one.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.12c · recall

Hookers must have a brake foot placed to help stability; it is removed only at "set".

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.10c, 19.12a · applied

Crouch, bind, set; then the throw.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.10-15 · recall

3, 5 and 8.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.5-6 · recall

The scrum-half chooses which side to throw in from.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.13 · recall

The ball is thrown in so that it first touches the ground inside the tunnel.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.15g · recall

The scrum-half may align their shoulder on the middle line, a shoulder-width towards their own side.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.15f · recall

The scrum begins when the ball leaves the hands of the scrum-half.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.16 · recall

Only when the scrum begins may the teams push. Sanction: free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.17 · applied

The hooker of the throwing team must strike for the ball. Sanction: free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.22 · applied

Either foot may strike, but not both at the same time. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.21 · applied

The throw must be straight. Sanction: free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.15f · applied

Front-rowers may strike only once the ball has touched the ground in the tunnel.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.15, 19.20 · recall

Not using it at once leads to a scrum to the other team.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.26 · recall

Players remain onside for the duration of the scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.27 · recall

Non-participants stay at least five metres behind the hindmost foot of their team.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.31 · recall

When the hindmost foot is in in-goal or within five metres of the try line, the offside line is the try line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.32 · applied

Next to the opposing scrum-half on their own side, or at least five metres behind their hindmost foot.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.28 · recall

The scrum-half of the team in possession has at least one foot level with or behind the ball.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.29 · recall

As soon as the scrum ends, offside lines no longer apply.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.33 · recall

Offside at the scrum is sanctioned by a penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.32 · recall

Number 12 is short of team B's line, which is offside.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.31 · applied

Middle, then the last foot, then five metres further.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.31 · recall

Once the ball is out and the scrum is over, the lines go.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.33, 19.36 · recall

With no infringement, a scrum wheeled through more than 90 degrees is reset.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.34c · applied

If neither side wins possession, the scrum is reset.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.34d · applied

If the ball is repeatedly kicked out of the tunnel, the referee must treat it as intentional.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.34e · applied

The scrum ends when the number eight picks up the ball from the feet of a second-row player.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.36c · applied

A front row charging against the opposition is dangerous play. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.37a · applied

Bringing the ball back into the scrum is a restricted practice. Sanction: free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.38d · applied

A scrum-half kicking the ball while it is in the scrum: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.38b · applied

If the ball comes out at either end of the tunnel, the scrum is reset and the same team throws in.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.34a, 19.35 · applied

Picking the ball up at the back ends the scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.36 · recall

Reset, free-kick, penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 19.34, 19.37-38 · recall