Uncontested Scrums

[oldman]

Heated discussion last evening following training at my club.
Coach insisted that at an uncontested scrum non putting in scrum half has to stay at the tunnel until the ball is out and the No 8 cannot pickup from the base.
I have looked in the law book and can find no reference to either of these requirements. Before I confront him on Saturday is he right or is this another urban myth?

[taff426]

As far as I am aware, URBAN MYTH!!!!!!

If the 9 has to stay at the tunnel, and the 8 cannot pick up, how is the ball supposed to leave the scrum? Just one point to ask your learned friend, followed swiftly by........ .

Every game I have refereed so far this season, 8 has been able to pick, and 9 follows, as per normal scrums, the only differenc from a normal scrum is that the putting in team wins the ball and there is no pushing.

[Taff]

.... If the 9 has to stay at the tunnel, and the 8 cannot pick up, how is the ball supposed to leave the scrum?

I suspect he means the non-throwing in SH has to stay at the tunnel.

[pwhaling]

This might be a dumb question, but does the non throwing sh have to stay at the tunnel?

[ddjamo]

the offside lines are the same with non contested scrums.

[pwhaling]

Thanks, that what I thought.

[Taff]

This might be a dumb question, but does the non throwing sh have to stay at the tunnel?

the offside lines are the same with non contested scrums.

Just to complicate matters, at certain ages in Wales (I can't remember what age without looking it up) the non-throwing SH must stay at the tunnel - whether its contested or not.

[Simon Thomas]

U15 and below must stay at tunnel in RFUland.

Everyone else adult or youth, contested or uncontested can follow round with both feet behind the ball.

As for no #8 pick-up another urban myth.

[Lee Lifeson-Peart]

U15 and below must stay at tunnel in RFUland.

Everyone else adult or youth, contested or uncontested can follow round with both feet behind the ball.

As for no #8 pick-up another urban myth.

Perpetuated by a Society (mine) referee as I watched my son the other week.

[Na Madrai]

This is a myth that is very common - I always clarify if a match goes uncontested that there is no push, the team feeding must win, number nines can follow round and number eights can pick up. I regularly get asked if I am sure!!!!!!!!!!!

NM