IRB rules on late restarts

The IRB has clarified the ruling on restarts at the end of a match, following a request from the Welsh Rugby Union to examine the law.

The IRB has clarified the ruling on restarts at the end of a match, following a request from the Welsh Rugby Union to examine the law.

Freddie Michalak kicked the ball dead at the end of the Wales-France Six Nations clash to end the game, with his restart being the final play.

At the time, Wales were six points adrift and pressing for victory. Michalak's restart was the final play of the match though, and left Wales with no chance.

In the previous week, Scotland had kept the ball alive at the restart, allowing Wales one final spell of possession, which the Welsh used to score and win the game. The French allowed no such chance.

The Designated Members of the IRB Rugby Committee, comprising Graham Mourie (New Zealand), Bill Nolan (Scotland) and David Pickering (Wales) examined the Law and ruled that if there has been a score towards the end of the match and there is time for the kick-off to take place but time will expire immediately after the kick and the kicker:

(a) Does not kick the ball 10 metres
(b) Kicks the ball directly into touch
(c) Kicks the ball dead on or over the opponents touch-in-goal or dead ball line

The referee will offer the non-offending team the options provided by Law 13.7, 13.8 and 13.9 respectively – a free-kick from the place the ball was kicked – and the match continues until the ball next becomes dead.