Ulster Rugby : February 'Law of the Month' Answer

February 'Law of the Month' Answer

12 March 2008, 2:40 pm

By Maire Cahill

The answer is (d) Award a penalty to green, as 7 red is off side

FEBRUARY LAW OF THE MONTH:
Green 12 looks to kick to clear his/her lines, just outside the 22m line. As 12 green kicks the ball it rebounds off red 13 (charge down). Red 7 (who is in front of 13 red) picks up the ball and starts to attack back up the field. The referee should.........

(a) Award a scrum to green, as the ball was knocked on by 13 red.
(b) Play on, as it is open play.
(c) Award a scrum to green, as 7 red is accidentally off side.
(d) Award a penalty to green, as 7 red is off side.

ANSWER: D

A penalty should be awarded to green as 7 red is off side. As red 7 is in front of 13 red (the player who last played the ball) they are deemed to be in an offside position.
(LAW 11.1 a, c)