Glasgow's puzzling penalty explained as rarely enforced rule contributes to collapse at Scarlets

Glasgow were left nursing wounds and illness while poring over the rule book as they look to bounce back from Saturday’s heavy defeat at Scarlets ahead of Edinburgh up next.

Bad news for Scotland too with the resources at loosehead prop weakened a little further with Oli Kebble going off early with a probable broken nose and concussion. He is almost certainly out of the Italy game and a doubt for the final trip to Dublin.

Better news on centre Sam Johnson who came off with illness, but should be fine once he’s recovered from his bout of something not Covid related.

A combination of illness, which forced off international trio Jack Dempsey, Johnson and Fraser Brown, and concussion which saw the departures of Kebble and wing Cole Forbes, meant Glasgow were trying not to worry too much about the second half collapse in the 35-10 loss.

And their attention was drawn rather painfully to the Law Application Guideline 9, implemented in 2016, about the transfer of the ball in a lineout maul. A puzzling penalty just before half time meant the scoreline was 10-7 at the break instead of a possible 17-0.

“Long placements are to be avoided as they often lead to obstruction and invite attacking players to join in front of the ball. In the future this will be PENALISED (World Rugby’s capitals).”

So the law exists, though in truth it’s not one you see applied often and certainly see broken many times.

Another penalty at a crucial time for a Ryan Wilson block, which ruled out a Jamie Dobie score, was also pretty pedantic, though it would be wrong to blame the final score on just two decisions.

By the time they face Edinburgh in two weeks, it’s something they will have brushed up according to captain Ryan Wilson.

“It’s not something I