Touch and the lineout
World Rugby · 2026Quick throws, lineouts and the territorial conditions behind a 50:22 kick.
Quick throws and territory
Touch normally gives opponents the throw. A penalty kick into touch keeps the throw. A qualifying 50:22 kick from your own half, bouncing into touch in the opponents’ 22, also keeps it: your team must not have taken the ball back into its half unless a tackle, ruck, maul or opponent’s touch followed there. Restarts do not qualify. Direct kicks outside your 22 normally gain no ground; taking the ball back inside it has similar restrictions. A quick throw uses the same untouched ball, before a lineout forms, travels straight or backwards and reaches 5 metres.
Forming and contesting
Each side needs at least 2 players; form within 30 seconds. The throwing team sets the maximum numbers. The throw must reach 5 metres. A crooked throw is allowed to continue if opponents do not lift a player to contest; otherwise they choose a lineout or scrum. Non-participants normally stay 10 metres back. Lifted players must be lowered safely; obstructing or tackling an airborne opponent is not permitted.
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