Final penalty offside from charge down final penalty.

In today's Saracens versus Exeter match, the final penalty was awarded for an  Exeter player being offside when Steenson's kick was charged down as the player was in front of Steenson when he kicked the ball. But surely the charge down immediately puts that player onside?

Regards

Andy Robb

Hi Andy

I haven't seen that particular game yet, but from how you describe it.  The Exeter player was in front of the kicker as he kicked it, so he was already offside before the kick happened.  However you are right that the charge down means the opponent intentionally touched the ball, so the offside player is put onside.

11.3 BEING PUT ONSIDE BY OPPONENTSIn general play, there are three ways by which an offside player can be put onside by anaction of the opposing team. These three ways do not apply to a player who is offside under the 10-Metre Law.

(a) Runs 5 metres with ball. When an opponent carrying the ball runs 5 metres, the offside player is put onside.

(b) Kicks or passes. When an opponent kicks or passes the ball, the offside player is putonside.

(c) Intentionally touches ball. When an opponent intentionally touches the ball but does not catch it, the offside player is put onside.

What I cannot say, because I have not seen the incident, is did the offside player interfere with play before the charge down?  Thus making him liable to penalty?

The Rugby Ref