A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is held by one or more opponents and is brought to ground.
Opposition players who hold the ball carrier and bring that player to ground, and who also go to ground, are known as tacklers.

A tackle can only take place in the field of play.

If the ball carrier has one knee or both knees on the ground, or is sitting on the ground, or on top of another player on the ground, that player has been ‘brought to ground’.

When a player tackles an opponent and they both go to ground, the tackler must immediately release the tackled player.

The tackler must immediately get up or move away from the tackled player and from the ball at once.

The tackler must get up before playing the ball and then may play the ball from any direction.

A tackled player must not lie on, over, or near the ball to prevent opponents from gaining possession of it, and must try to make the ball available immediately so that play can continue.

A tackled player must immediately pass the ball or release it. That player must also get up or move away from it at once.

A tackled player may release the ball by putting it on the ground in any direction, provided this is done immediately.

A tackled player may release the ball by pushing it along the ground in any direction except forward, provided this is done immediately.

If opposition players who are on their feet attempt to play the ball, the tackled player must release the ball.

If a tackled player’s momentum carries the player into the in-goal, the player can score a try or make a touch down.

If players are tackled near the goal line, these players may immediately reach out and ground the ball on or over the goal line to score a try or make a touch down.