Penalty Kick Options in Rugby: Scrum, Lineout or Kick

Executive Summary

When the referee’s arm goes out, signalling a penalty, a team is presented with a critical strategic decision. For the England national rugby union team, this moment is not a pause but a platform—a chance to assert dominance, accumulate points, or seize territory. The choice between kicking for goal, opting for a scrum, or taking a lineout is a complex calculus, influenced by scoreboard pressure, field position, personnel, and match momentum. This case study analyses how Head Coach Steve Borthwick and his leadership group, including figures like Captain Owen Farrell, approach this pivotal aspect of game management. We will dissect a specific, high-stakes scenario from the Six Nations Championship to illustrate the process, execution, and measurable outcomes of a well-drilled penalty strategy, providing a masterclass in rugby intelligence.

Background / Challenge

The challenge is deceptively simple: with a penalty awarded, how does a team maximise its return? The wrong decision can squander hard-won momentum, while the right one can be the catalyst for victory. For England Rugby, operating in the cauldron of tournaments like the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Series, the pressure is magnified. Every point is precious, every territorial gain significant.

Historically, the Red Rose has been accused at times of being overly conservative, reflexively taking the three points from the tee. However, the modern game demands nuance. The challenge for Steve Borthwick—a coach renowned for his analytical, detail-oriented approach—was to develop a decision-making framework that was both data-informed and instinctively executable by his players on the field. This framework needed to account for multiple variables: the reliability of the goal-kicker (be it Farrell or Marcus Smith), the set-piece prowess of the pack featuring Maro Itoje and Ellis Genge, the opposition’s defensive frailties, and the game context.

The specific challenge we examine arose during a recent Guinness Six Nations clash at Twickenham Stadium. With the match poised on a knife-edge and the Calcutta Cup or Millennium Trophy in the balance, England was awarded a penalty just inside the opposition half, five metres in from the touchline. The scoreboard context made the decision far from straightforward.

Approach / Strategy

Steve Borthwick’s strategy moves beyond a simple flowchart. It is built on a foundation of empowered leadership and situational clarity. The core philosophy is that the decision must serve the overarching game plan, which itself is tailored to the specific opponent.

The strategy is built on three pillars:

1. The Primary Directive: Always know the ‘state of the game’. This is a constant calculation involving the score difference, time remaining, and weather conditions. Is this a moment to build scoreboard pressure or to pursue a try for a decisive blow?


2. The Hierarchy of Strengths: Play to your team’s superpowers. If you have a dominant driving maul, a penalty within 10-15 metres of the line becomes a potent lineout opportunity. If your scrum is demolishing the opposition, a five-metre scrum is a try-scoring weapon. If neither presents a clear advantage, or if points are urgently needed, then the posts are the target.


3. On-Field Autonomy: While coaches relay information from the box, the final call is entrusted to the on-field leaders—primarily the captain and the kicker. Owen Farrell’s experience is crucial here. He is the conduit between the pre-match analysis and the live, breathing contest.

In our case study scenario, with England leading by four points with 15 minutes remaining, the ‘state of the game’ dictated that a two-score lead was the priority. However, the position—just inside the half and near the touchline—made a penalty kick at goal a low-percentage option (approx. 55-60% success rate). The strategic question became: do we back Farrell or Smith from a difficult angle, or do we use the penalty to gain territory and apply sustained pressure?

Implementation Details

The implementation of the decision is a symphony of clear communication and precise execution. Here’s how it unfolded:

1. The Signal: As the penalty was awarded, the referee communicated the location to the assistant. England’s players immediately looked to the touchline and then to Farrell.


2. The Consultation: A rapid, seconds-long conference occurred between Farrell, Maro Itoje (a key lineout caller), and Ellis Genge (a scrum cornerstone). The hooker also relayed the condition of the match balls from the ball boys. The on-field assessment considered:

The angle and distance for a kick at goal.
The success rate of the lineout in that match (which had been operating at 90%).
The opposition’s defensive lineout and their discipline in the red zone.

1. The Decision: Farrell, assessing the wind and the low-percentage kick, made the call. He signalled to the referee for a kick to the corner—opting for the lineout and driving maul.


2. The Execution:

Farrell took a quick, precise tap to himself to set the mark.
The kick was not a hopeful punt, but a expertly judged, spiralling touch-finder that bounced into touch just five metres from the opposition try line.
The forwards immediately organised. Itoje moved into the primary receiver position. The lineout call, a pre-rehearsed code, was communicated.
The throw from the hooker was pinpoint. Itoje secured clean ball at the front.
The maul was set instantly and legally, with Genge and the tight five driving at its core. It began its relentless, coordinated drive towards the line.

This sequence—from whistle to maul engagement—took under 30 seconds and was the product of hundreds of hours of practice at the RFU’s training base.

Results

The outcome of this single decision had a tangible, game-altering impact, demonstrating the value of a courageous and correct call.

Immediate Try: The driving maul, powered by the forward pack, rumbled over the try line with controlled force. The hooker grounded the ball. Try awarded.
Conversion: From directly in front of the posts, the conversion was a formality. 7 points secured.
Scoreboard Shift: Instead of a potential 3 points (with a risk of 0), England secured 7. The lead extended from 4 points to 11 points—a two-score cushion that fundamentally changed the opposition’s strategy for the final quarter.
Psychological & Momentum Impact: Beyond the points, the result was demoralising for the opposition. Their penalty concession led directly to a try from a set-piece they were powerless to stop legally. It cemented England’s physical and tactical dominance. The subsequent kick-off was met with renewed intensity from the Rose, who played the final 15 minutes with authority from the front.
* Match Outcome: England went on to win the match by a margin of 14 points. The 11-point lead generated from this decision was the foundation of that victory.

Key Takeaways

The analysis of this in-game moment yields several critical insights for players, coaches, and fans:

1. Context is King: The ‘right’ decision is never absolute. A penalty at the same spot in the first minute versus the last minute demands a different choice. Steve Borthwick drills this situational awareness into his squad.


2. Empower Your Leaders: The system only works if the on-field decision-makers are trusted and prepared. Farrell’s ability to weigh the percentages and back the pack’s strength was the linchpin.


3. A Decision is Only as Good as its Execution: The bold call to go to the corner would have been wasted without a perfect kick, a secure lineout, and a dominant maul. Strategy and skill are inseparable. The work of specialists like Itoje in the air and Genge in the drive is what turns ambition into points.


4. Pressure is a Tool: By turning a penalty into a lineout maul, England applied maximal pressure to the opposition’s defence and discipline. This often leads to further penalties, yellow cards, or more tries—a compounding return on investment.


5. Balance is Essential: While this case highlights a successful decision to eschew the posts, the threat of the penalty kick must always be credible. The presence of a world-class kicker like Farrell or Smith forces defences to stay onside, creating space elsewhere. The choice is powerful precisely because all options are live.

For a deeper understanding of the roles executing these decisions, see our guide to rugby positions explained.

Conclusion

The penalty decision is a microcosm of modern rugby union—a blend of brute force, spatial geometry, psychological warfare, and cold, hard data. For England Rugby under Steve Borthwick, it is a deliberate and practised art form. As we have seen in the crucible of the Six Nations Championship, the choice to scrum, lineout, or kick is not a binary one between courage and caution. It is the ultimate expression of a team’s identity, confidence, and strategic intelligence.

The next time you see the Red Rose awarded a penalty at Twickenham, watch closely. The pointed finger to the corner, the confident nod towards the posts, or the signal for a scrum is not a split-second gamble. It is the culmination of preparation, leadership, and a clear-sighted commitment to playing the game state. It is a moment where games, and trophies like the Calcutta Cup, are won and lost. Mastering these moments is what separates good teams from great ones, and it remains a central pillar of England’s quest for supremacy on the international stage.

To see how these penalty decisions feed into the broader contest, explore our breakdown of all rugby scoring methods. For more foundational knowledge, return to our hub on rugby basics.