All scrums may become uncontested if a team doesn’t have enough specialist players to form a complete front row. This may happen due to injury, sending off or temporary suspension, leaving a team without the needed players to form a contested scrum.
If this happens, the packs will engage but not push and the team placing the ball must win it without effort.
Uncontested Scrum Rules
Here are the top five most important rules for uncontested scrums:
- If either team cannot field a suitably trained front-row, then the scrums will become uncontested.
- The referee may also order an uncontested scrum in certain situations.
- Uncontested scrums must be played with eight players per side if they are a result of injury or sending off.
- Only if no replacement front-row player is available, is another player permitted to play in the front row.
- A player whose departure has led the referee to order uncontested scrums cannot be replaced.
You can find the full set of rules on the World Rugby Laws website.
Scrum Law Clarification
In 2018 the uncontested scrum law was clarified with the following important detail.
If a team is unable to continue with contested scrums due to a player being yellow or red-carded, their playing numbers must be reduced by an additional player – so they will lose a total of two players as punishment.
This new law clarification was in large part to prevent situations like the controversial Chiefs match against the Hurricanes in 2017, with the Chiefs struggling to win the ball from scrums and prop Siate Tokolahi leaving the game late to force uncontested scrums and helping the Chiefs cling on to a 28-27 victory.
Summary
Ultimately the uncontested scrum rules are there for the player’s safety if the front row of the scrum cannot be completed with properly trained specialist players. If scrums go uncontested then there is no pushing allowed and the side putting in the ball must win it – all other standard scrum rules apply.