scrfuwc : Message: Fw: iRB LAW RULING - # 8 BINDING AT ENGAGEMENT

For your information...please pass on to teams still competing.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Richard Every NPM <revery@...>
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:18:53 AM
Subject: iRB LAW RULING - # 8 BINDING AT ENGAGEMENT

Referees

Please implement immediately across the board, including RSL:

USA RUGBY Law Committee - May 2008

# 8 BINDING AT ENGAGEMENT

The IRB issued a Ruling this week (# 3 of 2008) to address an engagement technique that has become popular over the last year.

The technique involves the # 8 not fully binding prior to the referee giving permission to engage. Instead the # 8 grips the shorts of the second-rows without any other contact. When the scrum goes in to engage, the # 8 joins the back of the scrum forcefully, acting as a pile-driver to increase the impact at engagement.

The Ruling makes it clear that this is not legal. All participants in a scrum must be fully bound prior to engagement (penalty kick). The bind must involve the entire arm of the player up to and including the shoulder.

Referees should be observant for this prior to giving permission to engage, and should manage the players to bind properly.

Peter Watson, Chair

Regards

Richard Every

National Panel Manager

USA Rugby Referees

T: 773 895 6013