Section 6: Scoring
Methods of Scoring (Law 8 – World Rugby Laws of the Game 2024)
Law 8.1 lists the methods by which points may be scored in rugby union, together with their points values:
| Method | Points |
|---|---|
| Try | 5 |
| Penalty Try | 7 (automatic; no conversion attempt) |
| Conversion (after a try) | 2 |
| Penalty Goal | 3 |
| Dropped Goal (in general play) | 3 |
The Try (Law 8.1)
A try is scored when an attacking player is first to ground the ball in the opponents' in-goal area (on or beyond the goal line, short of the dead-ball line and touch-in-goal lines). Grounding the ball requires downward pressure with the hand, arm, or upper body (chest and front of the shoulder). A player may score a try by pushing the ball over the goal line using the hand or arm. A try also results if: (a) a player in possession is momentum-carried into the in-goal area and grounds the ball there; or (b) a player falls short of the goal line but slides over it while maintaining downward pressure.
Under Law 8.3, if a defending player is in the in-goal area and grounds the ball before an attacker, a try is not scored (a 22-metre dropout follows instead).
Penalty Try (Law 8.3)
A penalty try is awarded when a try would probably have been scored had it not been for foul play by the defending team. A penalty try is worth 7 points automatically and no conversion attempt is made. This change from the previous rule (which awarded 5 points plus a conversion attempt from in front of the posts) was introduced by World Rugby and has been in effect since July 1, 2017. The effect is that a penalty try always yields exactly 7 points, removing uncertainty about the conversion outcome.
In awarding a penalty try, the referee may also yellow-card or red-card the offending player(s) where warranted by the severity of the foul play, independently of the penalty try itself.
Conversion (Law 8.2)
After a try is scored, the scoring team is awarded a conversion attempt. The kick may be a place kick or a drop kick, taken from a point on a line through the spot where the try was grounded, perpendicular to the goal line (and thus parallel to the touchlines). The kicking team nominates the spot; there is no limit on how far back the kicker may stand. The kick must be taken within 90 seconds of the try being scored. The conversion is successful when the ball passes over the crossbar and between (or above the extension of) the uprights. Opponents must stand on or behind the goal line and must not move until the kicker begins their run-up or approach to kick.
Penalty Goal (Law 8.4)
A penalty goal is scored by any form of drop kick or place kick at goal from a penalty kick awarded under Law 21. The ball must pass over the crossbar and between (or above) the uprights. Opponents must retire 10 metres from the mark or to the goal line if it is closer.
Dropped Goal in General Play (Law 8.5)
A dropped goal is scored by a player who drop kicks the ball through the opponents' goalposts (over the crossbar and between or above the uprights) during general play. A drop kick requires the player to drop the ball from their hands and kick it as it rises from the ground. A dropped goal from a free kick is not valid (Law 21.2).
Result of the Match (Law 8.6)
The team that has scored the greater number of points is the winner. If the scores are equal, the match is a draw. In knockout competitions where a result is required, the organiser may apply extra time, sudden death, or a kicking competition as determined by the competition regulations.