The Scrum

Once the scrum is formed can a forward legally disengage before the ball is out/heeled for say a pre-planned scrum move by the back row?I have just read the laws on the scrum and this isn`t mentioned as far as i can see.

You used to able to in the good old days but now you have to stay engaged until the ball is out.

I recall the Australians being upset two seasons ago when Richie McCaw scored a match winning try after taking the pass from the 9 off the back of the scrum. But of course he could have used his magic powers to move time and space to get there after disengage legally.

With the first scrum, with the new Couch... touch... set law being tried did anyone else think that it was a little ironic that Ben Tamieafuna was penalised for going early.

emack, that isn't allowed. Players have to remain bound until the ball is out.

The logical exception is that the number 8 has to unbind if he wants to pick the ball from back of the scrum.

But if say a flanker left the scrum to receive a pass he would be penalised.