Back-row binding - new laws

[shnipvanwinkel]

Maybe this belongs in the new laws section, but thought I would ask our resident scrum "experts".

I was slightly disappointed that there was no further clarification in the new law book regarding the legality of a flanker binding onto a lock without binding onto a prop. Presumably this is still legal?

[tim White]

The players in the scrum bind in the following way:
The props bind to the hooker.
The hooker binds with both arms. This can be either over or under the arms of the props.
The locks bind with the props immediately in front of them and with each other.
All other players in the scrum bind on a lock’s body with at least one arm.
Sanction: Penalty

[Phil E]

Not sure what you are getting at.

Locks must bind onto each other and the FR. Flankers bind only onto the locks. This has not changed between 2017 and 2018 even if the wording has (slightly).

2017

(f) Binding by all other players. All players in a scrum , other than front-row players , must bind
on a lock’s body with at least one arm prior to the scrum engagement. The locks must bind
with the props in front of them. No other player other than a prop may hold an opponent.
Sanction: Penalty kick

2018

c. The locks bind with the props immediately in front of them and with each other.
d. All other players in the scrum bind on a lock’s body with at least one arm.

[shnipvanwinkel]

Yep, badly worded, sorry.

Here is the conventional scrum

scrum.jpg

and this is where the 2 flankers can also bind:

scrum.jpg

whilst the 8 can bind between the locks as above, or between one lock and a flanker on either side. Uncommon but legal, yes?

[beckett50]

Can't for the life of me see the difference between the 2 pictures.

Flankers can ONLY bind on the locks but they (obviously) shove on the props.

The #8 can EITHER bind between the two locks (as shown in the pictures) OR between a lock and a flanker. HOWEVER, he must choose where before the scrum starts and cannot change once the ball has been thrown into the scrum.

[OB..]

Can't for the life of me see the difference between the 2 pictures.

Flankers can ONLY bind on the locks but they (obviously) shove on the props.

The #8 can EITHER bind between the two locks (as shown in the pictures) OR between a lock and a flanker. HOWEVER, he must choose where before the scrum starts and cannot change once the ball has been thrown into the scrum.

The arrows are meant to indicate the flankers moving back to bind with their shoulder on the locks ie the old-fashioned 3-2-3 formation.

That seems to be still legal, though I haven't seen it for years.

[beckett50]

Thanks OB.

[didds]

Maybe this belongs in the new laws section, but thought I would ask our resident scrum "experts".

I was slightly disappointed that there was no further clarification in the new law book regarding the legality of a flanker binding onto a lock without binding onto a prop. Presumably this is still legal?

i wouln't expect a flanker to bind on a 2nd row and a prop.

I used to hate bloody flankers that wrapped their outside hand onto my outside thigh.

A punch or two usually got rid of them.

didds

[Zebra1922]

It looks legal but what is the point? The front row are not going to thank anyone for the loss of support locking them into the scrum, assisting them shoving and staying upright etc. I got many as bollocking as an inexperience 6 or 7 for not pushing through my prop.

[Not Kurt Weaver]

I got many as bollocking as an inexperience 6 or 7 for not pushing through my prop.

Sounds like they were blaming you for their failings.