The ruck
World Rugby · 2026Competing over a ball on the ground, including the protected player clearing it.
Formation and contest
A ruck forms when opposing players, on their feet and in contact, are over the ball on the ground. Join from behind the offside line and bind before or when making contact. Handling is forbidden once it forms, except for a player who already had hands on the ball and remains standing. Joining illegally, collapsing the ruck or kicking the ball out results in a penalty.
Release and protection
When possession is clearly won and available, the referee calls “use it”; the ball must leave within 5 seconds or the opponents receive a scrum. A current or former ruck participant must not play an opponent within 1 metre who is trying to clear the ball: penalty. A ruck ends when the ball leaves, reaches the try line, or becomes unplayable.
Sources & approach ↗