More Law Changes for 2026

 

Locking the ball into the scrum

Deliberately locking the ball into a scrum will now be deemed an offence. Teams found guilty will be penalised, with a full penalty awarded to the non-offending side.

Packing the scrum

Loose forwards are now required to pack correctly behind their second-row forwards. This involves placing their head in the space between the two second-rowers and wrapping their arms around them.

Grounding the ball

Clarification has been provided around try-scoring, with the law now stating that a player must ground the ball using the front part of the body above the waist and below the neck. This confirms that a try cannot be scored with the back.

Active and passive offside

Players must not encroach within ten metres of an opponent waiting for the ball and must immediately retire once an opponent secures possession.

Offside players within 10 metres must remain passive and not impact the next play-the-ball or stoppage unless they retire behind the point of the kick. This aims to allow greater flow in play and reduce unnecessary penalties for technical infringements.

Player safety when tackling kickers

Defenders attempting to tackle a kicker must now make a genuine attempt that avoids late, high or dangerous contact while the kicker is in a vulnerable position.

Playing the ball (Positioning)

Tackled players must regain their feet without delay, lift the ball clear of the ground, face the opposition goal line and place the ball on the ground in front of their foremost foot. The law clarifies that dropping the ball onto the ground constitutes a knock-on.

Playing the ball (Striking the ball)

The tackled player must make a genuine attempt to play the ball backwards with the foot. The ball must not be kicked or heeled by the marker. The ball is deemed in play once it has been played backwards, providing greater clarity for match officials.

Rugby union-style mauls

It is not permissible for team-mates to lend weight to a ball carrier to gain momentum. When this occurs, referees are instructed to call ‘Held’ immediately, with any momentum already generated taken into account.

Blocking and support in the tackle

Where defenders do not attempt to complete a tackle quickly but instead push, pull or carry the ball carrier, team-mates are permitted to lend their weight to prevent the loss of ground.

Referees should call ‘Held’ immediately, though attacking players must not impede defenders from making a tackle.

9 law changes should have been part of the game anyway. Nothing to see here! One of my bugbears, was lifting a player off the ground, and then dumping him in touch or 10 metres further back. This in the past was an instant held in previous years, but teams like Wigan have turned this into an artform. Happy to see the back of gang tackles for defensive metres. Well played Rugby League.