Fresh from a stirring course at Newlands as the 2010 Super 14 and Six Nations loom, Jonathan Kaplan answers readers' questions.

1. Name: Peter Shortell

Question: Law 20.12 (h) Law 20.12 (h) If the hindmost foot of a team is on or behind that team's goal line, the offside line for scrumhalves and non-participants is the goal line.

Surely the inclusion of scrumhalves here is a nonsense?  The ball will usually be at the opposing No.8's feet and the scrumhalf can be just his side of it.  Is he really required to retire to the goal line as soon as his own No.8's feet reach that goal line?

Jonathan Kaplan: Peter, I believe they are referring to the scrumhalf who takes up the option of not following the ball, and the consequent offside line if he chooses that option. If the scrumhalf stays on the side of the scrum where the ball was put in, then the ball is his offside line.

2. Name: Grant Malcolm

Question: My question is illustrated by your "Right or Wrong - clip 4" (12 January, Tigers v Wasps).  Two Tigers tackle a Wasp, and all go to ground. Tiger 1 gets to his feet, and a Wasp comes in to form a ruck. Tiger 2 then gets to his feet, joins the ruck from the side (though it's possible his hindmost foot is behind - though to the side of - his team-mate's hindmost foot). He then handles the ball, which the commentary in the clip suggests is the real offence, even though the referee indicates side-entry.  My question is: can a tackler join a ruck from the side, or must he join from behind the hindmost foot, even if he is a tackler?  

Jonathan Kaplan: Grant, the truth is he is probably wrong on both counts, I.e. side entry and hands in as the ruck has been formed and only the first player may attempt to play it. The tackler may play the ball from anywhere but in the case of more than one tackler, and the ruck being formed, as it was, then only the first player.          

3. Name: Carlos Romero 

Question: Hi there

I just finished to read "Watson EMPHASISES SCRUMS" and I'm wondering how the practical scrummaging sessions was implemented?

Do you suggest some exercises to apply with players and coaches that you think are effective ones? 
 
Jonathan Kaplan: Carlos, we had most of the Stormers forwards available for the scrumming session and it was a ‘live’ session. Referees were asked to referee the scrums as it would be in a match and the players scrummed as if they were in a match. Different tactics were used in an attempt to get the better of the referees and the opposition, and then we had discussions after the decision was made. The spin off was that players were allowed to justify their actions and both parties gained valuable insights into what the other was thinking.

4. Name: Bunny Bolton

Question: Why do referees coach. They tell players Leave it, No hands, ruck and so on. Surely professional players are big and experienced enough to know when they are allowed to do something or not allowed to do something.

Jonathan Kaplan: The only reason that referees talk to the players is to help them out of the grey zones and not give away needless penalties. There are still some areas (like post tackle/ruck) which by definition require a referee to assist the contesting players where the zone of adjudication is that close! however i will admit that some referees talk way too much.