Law 9: Foul Play

When running for the ball, neither may charge or push the other except shoulder-to-shoulder.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.1 · recall

A player must not obstruct or interfere with an opponent while the ball is dead. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.6 · recall

Intentionally knocking, placing, pushing or throwing the ball out of the playing area is unfair play: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.7b · applied

Wasting time is sanctioned by a free-kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.7d · recall

Doing anything that may lead officials to think an opponent has infringed is unfair play: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.7c · applied

The referee gives a general caution; if the offence is repeated, the guilty player(s) see a yellow card.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.10 · applied

An offside player must not intentionally obstruct an opponent or interfere with play.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.2 · recall

A ball-carrier must not intentionally run into an offside team-mate to obstruct the opposition. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.5 · applied

General caution first, then a yellow card for the next offender.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.10 · recall

Scrum, free-kick, penalty, then a penalty with a card.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.7, 9.29 · recall

Dangerous tackling includes any tackle or attempt that leads to head contact, or one above the sanction line.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.13 · recall

Elite: shoulder line. Community: waist or base of the sternum, as the union decides.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.13; Law 14.1 · recall

A player must not tackle an opponent who is not in possession of the ball.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.14 · applied

A player must not charge or knock down a ball-carrier without attempting to grasp them.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.16 · applied

A player must not lift an opponent and drop or drive them so their head or upper body hits the ground.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.18 · applied

A ball-carrier may hand off an opponent provided excessive force is not used.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.24 · recall

A player must not attempt to kick the ball from the hands of the ball-carrier.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.23 · applied

A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.17 · applied

Players who lift or support a team-mate in open play must lower them safely as soon as the ball is won.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.26 · recall

From the hips up: waist, then sternum, then shoulders.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 14.1 · recall

The front row must not form at a distance and rush against its opponents.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.19a · recall

A front-row player must not pull an opponent, lift them or force them upwards, or intentionally collapse the scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.19b-d · recall

Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.20a · recall

Push or drive them back, including by the knee or leg, but never roll, pull or twist.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.20d · recall

A player must not drop their weight onto an opponent or target the lower limbs.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.20e · recall

The non-offending team chooses the place of the infringement or where the ball lands (not within 15 m of touch).

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.25 · applied

If the ball went directly into touch, the option is on the 15-metre line in line with where it crossed.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.25c · applied

Shoulder first with arms tucked is contact without a bind: a penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.20a · applied

The non-offending team chooses among the places Law 9.25 lists.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.25 · recall

Joining by binding is legal; contact without binding is charging.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.20a · recall

A cautioned player is suspended for 10 minutes and shown a yellow card.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.29 · recall

A second yellow-card offence means the player must be sent off; play restarts with a penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.29 · applied

A player sent off takes no further part and may not be replaced. The 20-minute rule is elite only.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.30 · recall

For intentional and highly dangerous actions, the player cannot be replaced; for other actions, after 20 minutes.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.30 · applied

Players must respect the referee's authority and not dispute decisions. Sanction: penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.28 · applied

Physical abuse includes biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking, stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.12 · recall

Players must stop playing immediately when the referee whistles to stop play.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.28 · recall

Elite rugby lets the side return to 15 after 20 minutes in this case.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.30 · applied

Two yellows in one match equal a red.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.29 · recall

Elite only, and only when the act was not intentional and highly dangerous.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 9.30 · recall