Hello all.

I've refereed at low levels for past two years now, and my head is still a complete muddle when it comes to a team not being able to have eight players in its scrum, for whatever reason.

I would be very very grateful to anyone who can break it all down for me, idiot-proof style!

In doing this, please state what it is that a team CAN do and what it is that a team MUST do -- for the avoidance of unnecessary confusion, please avoid altogether considerations of what it would be 'advisable' or 'obligatory' to do - keep it to 'CAN' and 'MUST' - thanks! :-)

Lets open with one scenario - both teams - call them A and B - kept scrums (8 vs going as normal for first half, but then, into the second, Team B has one of its forwards yellow-carded ... What now ???

Low levels should say it all for you.
You are reffing teams that do NOT have
the players available for these positions.
Whether by lack of talent or more today, lack of CASH.

It's a bit of a grey area.

I don't believe you have to have 8 in the scrum.

If you have a player yellow carded (or injured without replacement) you have a mismatched number in the scrum.

However the laws can be interpreted in such a way that a mismatch scrum in numbers is not legal.

You must have a minimum of 5 players in your scrum.

It's contained in law 20 I think

I wonder if you will get a reply from glocky, Delano.

Nice job.