The ball touching the referee - IRB Laws of Rugby Union 2012

Definitions
6.A

Referee
Before the match
6.A.1

Appointing the referee
6.A.2

Replacing the referee
6.A.3

Duties of the referee before the match
During the match
6.A.4

The duties of the referee in the playing enclosure
6.A.5

Referee altering a decision
6.A.6

Referee consulting with others
6.A.7

The referee’s whistle
6.A.8

The referee and injury
6.A.9

The ball touching the referee
6.A.10

The ball in in-goal touched by non-player
After the match
6.A.11

Score
6.A.12

Player sent-off
6.B

Touch judges and assistant referees
Before the match
6.B.1

Appointing touch judges and assistant referees
6.B.2

Replacing a touch judge or assistant referee
6.B.3

Control of touch judges and assistant referees
During the match
6.B.4

Where the touch judges or assistant referees should be
6.B.5

Touch judge or assistant referee signals
6.B.6

After signalling foul play
After the match
6.B.7

Player sent-off
6.C

Additional persons
6.C.1

Reserve touch judge or assistant referee
6.C.2

Those who may enter the playing area
6.C.3

Limits to entering the playing area

6.A.9 THE BALL TOUCHING THE REFEREE

(a) If the ball or the ball carrier touches the referee and neither team gains an advantage, play continues. If either team gains an advantage in the field of play, the referee orders a scrum and the team that last played the ball has the throw-in.
(b) If either team gains an advantage in in-goal, if the ball is in possession of an attacking player the referee awards a try where the contact took place.
(c) If either team gains an advantage in in-goal, if the ball is in possession of a defending player, the referee awards a touch down where the contact took place.