# Law 21: In-goal (World Rugby Laws of the Game)

Rugby · Law 21: In-goal · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/rugby/laws/law-21-in-goal/)

Grounding the ball, tries and touch downs, tackled players near the line, kicks dead through in-goal, and the corner flag post.

## 21.211 Grounding and Scoring

How the ball is grounded, tries and touch downs, and grounding on the lines.

### Test 1: Grounding and scoring

- Grounding: holding it and touching the ground with it, or pressing down with hands, arms or the front of the body from waist to neck. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.1)
- Picking up is not grounding; a player may pick up the ball and ground it elsewhere in in-goal. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.2)
- An attacking player grounding the ball in in-goal scores a try. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.3)
- A defending player grounding the ball in in-goal makes a touch down. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.6)
- The ball is dead; as the attackers took it into in-goal, play restarts with a try line drop-out. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.4)
- Contact with the touchline at the moment of grounding puts the ball in touch in the field of play: lineout to the opposition. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.5)
- Only hands, arms or the chest side of the body count. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.1b)
- Chest on the ball is enough. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.1b)
- Pick up, carry, then press down nearer the posts. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.2-3)
- Defender's grounding: touch down. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.6)

## 21.212 Near the Line and Held Up

Momentum, reaching out, players off the field, defenders' options, held up and doubt.

### Test 1: Near the line and held up

- If a tackled player's momentum carries them into in-goal, they can score a try or make a touch down. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.7)
- A tackled player near the line may reach out and ground the ball provided it is done immediately. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.8)
- Reaching out must be immediate. Sanction: penalty. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.8)
- A player off the playing area can score by grounding a ball they are not holding. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.9)
- Defenders may knock the ball backwards or pull it from possession, but not kick it. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.10)
- Doubt about who first grounded the ball: a five-metre scrum in line with the place, attacking team throws in. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.17)
- Same restart as any attacker held up in in-goal. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.16)
- Defenders must not kick or attempt to kick the ball as a tackled player reaches out. Sanction: penalty. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.10)
- Attackers took it in, so the restart is a try line drop-out. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.16; 12.12a)
- The attacking team throws in at the five-metre scrum. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.17)

## 21.213 Kicked Dead, Defenders and the Corner Post

Kicks dead through in-goal, defenders in in-goal, catches from beyond the lines, and the corner flag post.

### Test 1: Kicked dead, defenders and the corner post

- The defending team chooses a 22-metre drop-out or a scrum at the place of the kick. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.11)
- An unsuccessful kick at goal or dropped goal is the exception: the defence restarts with a 22-metre drop-out. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.11)
- If any part of a defending player is in in-goal (and not in touch or over the dead-ball line), they are in in-goal. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.12)
- A player in in-goal catching a ball still in the field of play has taken the ball into in-goal. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.13)
- A player on or beyond the dead-ball line, or in touch-in-goal, catching a ball in in-goal makes it dead. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.14)
- Touching the post alone lets play continue, unless the ball is grounded against the post. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.15)
- If the ball or ball-carrier touches the corner flag post without being otherwise in touch-in-goal, play continues. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.15)
- Touching the corner post does not put the player in touch-in-goal; the grounding in in-goal stands. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.15)
- Team B picks the scrum option this time. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.11)
- Missed kicks at goal are the exception: always a 22-metre drop-out. (Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 21.11)

Sources: World Rugby Laws of the Game, Rugby Union 2026, Law 21 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the law book, not reproduced)

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