Rugby 101 - Know your rucks from your mauls!

I don’t think it does at the moment. There’s often a tussle for the ball because the player in touch won’t give it up. When he prevents a throw in there may be no sanction even where a try might be scored. We’re talking about something that can impede the flow of attacking play. Why not let the ref, say, count to three and then award a penalty if the player hasn’t released the ball?

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The referee already has the discretion to give a penalty if he/she believes that a player is preventing a quick throw in from happening or is interfering with play moving on. Much of rugby is structured on a referee being able to interpret the laws as appropriate - hence you have laws rather than a rule book - and I don't think introducing a law such as you are describing is required given that it is already covered. I.e. as things stand, if a player held onto a ball after going into touch as you describe then a ref already has the means to penalise that player.

Squidge Rugby covered that in depth. Itoje's little nudge caused Conan's lifter to slip his hold slightly and Conan didn't get high enough to take the catch. It was very well done. But even more well done for BOK or his AR to spot it.

Owen Doyle in the IT mentions a few must haves for lineouts including one of my pet peeves:

Just make sure a few basic things happen − clearly establish the metre-channel between the two teams; and that the thrower stands correctly on the mark, not opposite his own front man. Finally, make sure the ball travels within the metre channel, along the inside shoulders of the lineout players.

Not opposite his own front man. Is it time for soccer’s magic spray can to mark the metre channel and for the TMO to play a larger role in enforcing compliance?

Jumping into/over a tackle…was there a new law introduced specifically outlawing this or is it still just considered 'dangerous play'?

My thoughts, follow through on the actions. BC gets a knee to the ground, so tackle is successful, he should be able to place the ball, if he can. D2 joining before he does so, makes it a ruck, BC must release the ball.

Why do we not see more attempts at drop goals? I appreciate they are difficult to achieve correctly, but when up against a stronger team, you're 5-10 metres from the try line but their defense is relentless and are not letting you in, why don't you pass it back a bit and in Ireland's case, pass it back to Sam Prendergast and score(or try to) score a drop goal?

Thats why I was confused. A successful drop kick goal is 3 points. Yes a try at 5 is more, but we have seen many times where we are facing a team, well defending the try line, and what, hope we get a penalty?

Garbisi today showed why they aren't attempted more often.

The conditions were appalling. Not the kind of conditions I'd suggest for one. Wet, windy, greasy ball, bad visibility.