I know the forum rules frown in links but I think here it helps...
www.therfl.co.uk/a_guide_to_the_ ... icial_laws
Laws state:-
"Once play has started any player who is on side or not out of play can run with the ball kick it in any direction and throw or knock it in any direction other than towards his opponents’ dead ball line" which is a catch all clause..
1. A player shall be penalised if he deliberately knocks on or passes forward.
2. If, after knocking-on accidentally, the player knocking-on regains or kicks the ball before it touches the ground, a goal post, cross bar or an opponent, then play shall be allowed to proceed. Otherwise play shall stop and a scrum shall be formed except after the fifth play-the-ball.
3. To charge-down a kick is permissible and is not a knock-on.
4. It is illegal to head the ball in a forward direction.
1. The direction of a pass is relative to the player making it and not to the actual path relative to the ground. A player running towards his opponents’ goal line may throw the ball towards a colleague who is behind him but because of the thrower’s own momentum the ball travels forward relative to the ground. This is not a forward pass as the thrower has not passed the ball forward in relation to himself. This is particularly noticeable when a running player makes a high, lobbed pass.
A forward pass in a passing movement is invariably caused by misjudgment and is rarely a deliberate offence. Play is restarted with a scrum after an accidental infringement.
If the Referee is of the opinion that a player in giving a forward pass must have been well aware that the catcher was in front of him then the referee is justified in ruling that the ball has been deliberately thrown forward.
If the ball is passed correctly but bounces forward or is blown forward by the wind, there is no infringement and play should continue. (This one amazed me)
There are a few remnants that need tidying...voluntary tackle, deliberate forward pass, and not stopping the clock after tries/for penalties but the laws book is very good!
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