The maul is about physical strength and power.

The maul is when at least three players from either side are in contact together, challenging the player with the ball, moving towards a goal line.

But what makes the maul different to the ruck is the ball is not on the ground but in hand.

But like the ruck, players can only join from behind the last team-mate bound to the maul.

And every player in the maul must have at least one arm bound to a team-mate, otherwise the referee will award a penalty to the opposing team.

The team going forwards always hold the advantage.

So if a maul goes to ground and the ball does not come out quick enough, they will be given the feed at the scrum.

But there are exceptions.

If a player has caught the ball from a kick-off or a drop-out and is caught up in the middle of a maul inside their own 22m line, the referee will award the scrum to their side if the ball has not come out in time.

Ruck

Maul

Knock on

Forward pass

22m drop out

5m scrum

Mark

Tackle

Obstruction

Sin-bin