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Receiver entering the lineout.

Ciaran Trainor

Ciaran Trainor


Referees in England
Might have been done before but after going through laws I'm unsure.
Overheard a conversation with a ref and a coach last week.
Assume standard line out (not quick) 5 players each, two throwers and two receivers all in correct positions with none of the recent shennanigans involved on Showbiz rugby.
Coach says after ball is thrown our receiver moves into line (towards back) and is lifted to take the ball, some refs allow it others penalise us. What is your position sir?
Ref says it will be a penalty, it is not allowed.
I always thought that was ok and can find nothing in the laws currently written that include or exclude this scenario.
Would appreciate your thoughts.
 
Dickie E said:
If it happens before the throw, another player has to move to receiver position
Law 18.18
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"18.18 Participating players may change places in the lineout before the ball is thrown."

This interpretation assumes that 'change places' means 'exchange places with another participant', as opposed to 'move to another location'.
But that's not what this law says.
Compare 18.17 which says 'change positions with other participating players'.
18.18 doesn't refer to other players - so why should we assume that it does?
 
Decorily said:
Not sure how you excluded OP scenario
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Dickie E said "It is legal provided it happens after the ball is thrown. If it happens before the throw, another player has to move to receiver position. Law 18.18"

Obviously law 18.18 applies to his second sentence, but not to his first.
I wanted to question his interpretation of 18.18 - so I quoted the second sentence, and not the first.

Decorily said:
but possibly it's better to stay with the OP scenario.
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It's relevant to the OP scenario because - depending on the interpretation adopted - the throwing team might be allowed to start the OP manoeuvre even before the ball is thrown.
 
Dickie E said:
It is legal provided it happens after the ball is thrown. If it happens before the throw, another player has to move to receiver position
Law 18.18
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Becaue there is little that specifically permits it, I would say "It is not illegal provided it happens after the ball is thrown.". It used to occur (and possibly may still do so, not really watched) in 7s. Perhaps it was 'simplified' out?
 

Several examples on here showing receivers joing the lineout after the ball has been thrown. Dont see any law that would prevent a reciever joining the lineout and being lifted providing it was done after the ball was thrown.
 
Jz558 said:

Several examples on here showing receivers joing the lineout after the ball has been thrown. Dont see any law that would prevent a reciever joining the lineout and being lifted providing it was done after the ball was thrown.
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Great clips Jz558, thanks, including one from my own county at Penrith towards the end.
So I think we can all agree from Original Post that the receiver can join the line after the ball is thrown
 
chbg said:
Becaue there is little that specifically permits it, I would say "It is not illegal provided it happens after the ball is thrown.". It used to occur (and possibly may still do so, not really watched) in 7s. Perhaps it was 'simplified' out?
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Law book 2017

19.8 (i) Where the receiver must stand.
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If a team uses a receiver, then that player, must be positioned at least 2m back from team mates in the lineout, and between the 5m and 15m lines, until the lineout begins.

Once the lineout has commenced, the receiver may move into the lineout and may perform all actions available to players in the lineout and is liable to related sanctions.

Sanction: Free kick on the 15 metre line along the line of touch
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So yes, until the ill thought out "simplification" it was clear that the reciever could enter the line and act like any other player in said line.
 
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