A clear summary of the most important rugby union rules — suitable for sharing with new players, printing for the touchline, or using as a quick reference during coaching sessions. This covers the core laws every player, parent and spectator needs to know.

The Basics

  • Teams: 15 players per side (plus up to 8 replacements)
  • Duration: 80 minutes — two halves of 40 minutes
  • Aim: Score more points than the opposition
  • Ball movement: Can be carried, kicked or passed — but only sideways or backwards by hand

How to Score

Score Points How
Try 5 Ground the ball over the opponent’s try line
Conversion 2 Kick through the posts after a try (taken from in front of where the try was scored)
Penalty goal 3 Kick through the posts after being awarded a penalty
Drop goal 3 Drop the ball and kick it through the posts during open play

Key Rules

No Forward Passes

The ball cannot be passed forward from a player’s hands. Passes must go sideways or backwards. A forward pass results in a scrum to the non-offending team.

The Knock-On

If a player drops the ball and it travels forward, this is a knock-on. Play stops and a scrum is awarded. Exception: the ball can be kicked forward at any time.

The Tackle

A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by an opponent and brought to the ground. Rules at the tackle:

  • The tackler must release the ball carrier and roll away
  • The ball carrier must release the ball
  • Players on their feet can compete for possession
  • Tackles must be below the shoulders — high tackles are penalised

Offside

In open play, a player is offside if they are in front of the team-mate who last played the ball. They must not interfere with play until they return onside (by moving behind the ball or being put onside by a team-mate running past them).

At set pieces (scrums, lineouts, rucks, mauls), each team has an offside line they cannot cross until the set piece is complete.

The Ruck

A ruck forms when the ball is on the ground and at least one player from each team is in contact over it. Rules:

  • Players must bind on (not just lean)
  • Players must stay on their feet — going to ground in a ruck is penalised
  • Hands cannot be used on the ball once the ruck is formed — feet only
  • Offside line at a ruck: the hindmost foot of the rearmost player of each team

The Scrum

A scrum is awarded for knock-ons, forward passes, and certain other infringements. Eight forwards from each side bind together and compete for possession. The attacking team’s scrum-half feeds the ball into the tunnel. Rules:

  • The scrum must be stationary before the ball is put in
  • No collapsing the scrum — a serious offence that can result in a penalty or yellow card
  • The ball must be put in straight
  • Players must remain bound until the ball leaves the scrum

The Lineout

When the ball goes into touch (over the sideline), play restarts with a lineout. The team that did not put the ball into touch throws in. Rules:

  • The throw must be straight down the middle of the lineout
  • Players can be lifted to contest the ball
  • Players must not obstruct opponents before the ball is thrown

Penalties

Penalties are awarded for infringements including: high tackles, offside, not releasing at the tackle, collapsing the scrum, dangerous play and obstruction. The non-offending team can:

  • Kick for goal (3 points if successful)
  • Kick to touch (and retain possession at the resulting lineout)
  • Take a tap and play
  • Take a scrum at the mark

Yellow and Red Cards

A yellow card results in 10 minutes in the sin bin — the player cannot be replaced during this time. A red card is a permanent dismissal from the match.

Foul play, dangerous tackling, deliberate infringement to prevent a score, and repeated team infringements can all result in cards.

Junior Rugby Rule Modifications

Age-group rugby uses modified rules to make the game safer and more appropriate for younger players. Scrums, lineouts and contact laws are all adjusted depending on age group. See the Age Group Rules Explained guide for the full breakdown.

For the complete rules guide with further detail on each law, see Rugby Rules Explained.