I do agree with that.
and again, I think consistency with some of these rules is the most important thing.
At the same time, holding down has been a problem lately too. so if we can stop teams holding down longer than necasary, flops etc.. and keep an eye on the play of the ball.
And also sort this rule where the ref shouts held when another attacking player puts his weight into the tackle. I think that is a crap rule.

I think touch judges should have more to look at, and if they are not up to it, which they probably arnt with some of the forward passes etc.. that they miss, then maybe the English game needs to take a serious look at using 2 refs

I think the balance has been pretty good this year, they are allowing a number of defenders into the tackle without calling held too early, but making players get off cleanly and fairly quickly by penalising 'hands in' and messing around more often. So we're getting set defences more often than not, but good dummy running and attacking play is also rewarded for moving the defences around without letting them lie on to the extent that was allowed last year and slowing the game down too much.

If you win the collision, you earn a quick play the ball. Simple.

Can you still do a quick tap to yourself if there is no dummy half ?

I used to love that rule, sadly no. Jason Robinson used it loads to his advantage.

Not a tap, you have to play it backwards, but you can then turn around and drop on it.

Totally agree.

Without rules what would the game end up as?

It's very simple, if the players don't ptb correctly there should be an immediate penalty.

Within a fortnight there would be very few incorrect ptb's.

how much of the following do we actually see enforced?

[i10. The play-the-ball shall operate as follows.

(a) The tackled player shall be immediately released and shall not be touched until the ball is in play.

(b) The tackled player shall without delay regain his feet where he was tackled, lift the ball clear of the ground, face his opponent’s goal line and drop or place the ball on the ground in front of his foremost foot.

(c) One opponent may take up the position immediately opposite the tackled player.

(d) The tackled player may not play the ball before the players effecting the tackle have had time to clear the ruck.

(e) When the ball touches the ground it must be heeled (i.e. backwards) by the tackled player. The ball must not be kicked or heeled by the player
marking him.

The ball is in play when it has been played backward.[/i

they not old rules Geoff? Says you can drop the ball in order to play it and only 1 marker?

If that style of rugby is entertaining - massive bulked up players falling over the line (getting there mostly by penalties), only one player with sufficient pace to score from over 20 metres, wingers with no pace, count me out. And also count out any slim hopes we may have at international level.

They're the ones currently on the RFL website, though it wouldn't surprise me if they haven't been updated.

rlhttp://www.therfl.co.uk/clientdocs/rugby_laws_book_2007_%20%282%29.pdfrl

Actually, looking at the URL, yeah, it says 2007. Typical RFL...

Who is the 'one' player has the pace to score from more than 20m? Burrows? Ryan Hall? Foster? Maguire? Smith? As a neutral I thoroughly enjoyed last nights game and tbh you just sound quite bitter for some reason?

I thought it was a pretty rubbish game considering they have been the best 2 teams for many years.

I agree the PTB needs sorting. Most people can run through a line from a quick PTB, is that really a skill?

It can get you MOS you know