What changed

The amendment makes the loose forward’s arm position explicit. Compare Section 12, Law 2 in the 2024 IRL rulebook and the 2026 IRL rulebook, both on printed page 38. The older wording’s silence about the arms should not be read as blanket permission for any binding technique.

Before-and-after example

Imagine a loose forward placing their head between the second-row forwards but leaving their arms beside their own body. The 2024 sentence specified the head position without expressly addressing that arm position. Under the 2026 wording, this setup fails the explicit wrapping requirement. Players and coaches should include the arm wrap when checking scrum formation; spectators can watch for it behind the second row. See IRL Section 12, Law 2 and the broader scrum rules guide.

Commencement and scope

IRL’s official amendment notice, published on 9 January 2026, confirms Board approval and implementation from 1 January 2026. The notice does not identify the Board’s approval date: announcement and commencement are separate dates.

This is an implemented 2026 amendment, documented here through a comparison with the 2024 edition. IRL describes the international Laws as applying at all levels, while also distinguishing additional World Cup competition rules. This record does not establish early or delayed implementation in any particular domestic competition, or applicability to modified youth formats. It concerns running-game scrums and should not be applied to wheelchair rugby league.

Official evidence

Change status

Confirmed change

Effective from:

Before and after

Before and after
Situation International Rugby League · 2024 International Laws of the Game with Notes on the Laws · Historical international running-game baseline used for this textual comparison; not a claim about every competition’s rules immediately before January 2026.International Rugby League · 2026 International Laws of the Game with Notes on the Laws · International running-game scrum formation. This amendment commenced on 1 January 2026; competition-specific and modified youth rules require separate verification.
Loose-forward arm position when forming a scrumThe 2024 edition required the loose forward to pack behind the second row with their head between those forwards. That sentence did not expressly require their arms to wrap around the second-row forwards.The 2026 edition retains that position and expressly requires the loose forward to wrap their arms around the second-row forwards.

Rule editions and sources