Ball grounded by a defending player - IRB Laws of Rugby Union 2012

Definitions
22.1

Grounding the ball
22.2

Picking up the ball
22.3

Ball grounded by an attacking player
22.4

Other ways to score a try
22.5

Ball grounded by a defending player
22.6

Scrum, ruck or maul pushed into in-goal
22.7

Restarting after a touch down
22.8

Ball kicked dead through in-goal
22.9

Defending player in in-goal
22.10

Ball held up in-goal
22.11

Ball dead in in-goal
22.12

Ball or player touching a flag or flag (corner) post
22.13

Attacking infringement with scrum sanction
22.14

Defending infringement with scrum sanction
22.15

Doubt about grounding
22.16

Infringements in in-goal
22.17

Misconduct or unfair play in in-goal

22.5 BALL GROUNDED BY A DEFENDING PLAYER

(a) Touch down. When defending players are first to ground the ball in their in-goal, it results in a touch down.

(b) Player in touch or touch-in-goal. If defending players are in touch-in-goal, they can make a touch down by grounding the ball in their in-goal provided they are not carrying the ball.

(c) Grounded against a goal post. The goal posts and padding surrounding them are part of the goal line. If a defending player is first to ground the ball against a goal post or padding, the result is a touch down.