The rules of rugby prompt debate as much as in any other sport with their technical nature often leaving spectators and players alike on opposite sides of the fence.
The interpretive nature of officiating, combined with the sport's fine margins marry to incite major scrutiny, with referees and their assistants under pressure to justify their calls.
The sport's governing bodies have not been averse to trialing new rules in efforts to improve the sport, some - such as the introduction of the 50:22 kick - proving popular, and others - like the red card bunker review system - bringing mixed reviews.
Ref explains bizarre rugby rule loophole in Bordeaux try
One of the more unusual loopholes reared its head on Saturday during Bordeaux Begles' Champions Cup meeting with Exeter.
Exeter were thrashed 17-69 by Bordeaux with prolific France star Damian Penaud central to their success, scoring a hat-trick.
One try wrought plenty of confusion however, the Top 14 club's sixth score of the afternoon coming via a loophole in the rules.
Players and fans have always operated off the assumption that a try will not count if a player's foot is in touch. It is a key factor taken into account when players cross over the try-line into the corner.
However, Bordeaux were given the score despite Louis Bielle-Biarrey, whose foot had landed on the touch-line when chasing down his own grubber kick, kicking the ball into the path of Penaud who planted the score.
Bielle-Biarrey had kept the ball alive despite standing in touch, leading everyone to believe that the score would not count.
However, as referee Ben Whitehouse explained after a TMO review, the score was perfectly valid to the surprise of both teams.
Let me just explain this because it is really tight," he said.
"Let me explain this. The ball has not crossed the plain of touch. So believe it or not, the law allows you to stand on the line and kick the ball. Therefore, the try is good."
In other words, the try stood because the ball had stayed in play, despite the player who moved the ball onwards physically being out-of-bounds.
An unusual Bordeaux Bègles score 👀
A loophole in the rulebook helps the visitors to their sixth try against Exeter Chiefs 🟣#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/J16SpDXilu
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 11, 2025
Bizarre, but legal, as far as the rules of the game go.
It is not a situation that will regularly rear its head but it certainly is a peculiar one.
