Two IRB Law Rulings

The International Rugby Board has a committee, referred to as Designated Members, whose task it is to keep an eye on the Laws of the Game, the IRB's basic task. From time to time the Designated Members give rulings on aspects of the law which may not be clear. These rulings are requested by national bodies.

The designated Members have made rulings on substituted players (Ruling 5 of 2009) and Under-19 law variations (Ruling 6 of 2009). The first is in response to a request by England, the second by Australia. The countries each put the question. The designated members then give their ruling.

It is a pity that there should be a need for rulings as one would hope that the laws were clear and complete.

These rulings are dated 10 August 2009.

Ruling: 5 : 2009

Request for a Ruling from the Designated Members from the RFU

LAW 3.12 SUBSTITUTED PLAYERS REJOINING THE match

Background: Early in a match Team A replace their tighthead prop, because of injury, with their nominated prop forward replacement.

Late in the match, the replacement prop forward collects a serious injury forcing him to leave the field. Team A, having used all their nominated substitutes, continue to play with 14 players. When the first scrum after the injured prop leaves the field is awarded, and after consulting with the Captain of Team A, who confirms his side cannot replace their injured prop with a suitably trained and experienced prop forward, the referee orders uncontested scrums.

At this stage, Team A seek permission from the match officials for their substituted hooker to rejoin the match in an attempt to bring their playing numbers back to 15. The match officials refuse to allow the player to rejoin the
match, which concludes with uncontested scrums and Team A playing with 14 players.

Question: Were the officials correct in not permitting Team A the opportunity to bring their playing numbers up to 15?

Ruling of the Designated Members:

In this situation the team has used all its permitted replacements/substitutes.

The purpose of Law 3.12 was to allow a player who has been substituted to return to the front row (in the event of an injury requiring a replacement front row player) to enable the game to continue with contested scrums.

In the situation described, uncontested scrums had been ordered and the team had utilised all its permitted replacements and substitutes and therefore the injured front row player should not be replaced.

Additionally, if uncontested scrums have been ordered and there is an injury to a front row player which requires that player to be replaced and there is a front row player available to replace that player then the front row player replacement
must be used rather than players other than front row replacements.

Ruling: 6 : 2009

Ruling Request from ARU Under-19 Variations – Law 20 1 (f)

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) seeks a ruling in respect of the following matters relating to the Under 19 Variations to Law 20.1 (f):

1. The Under-19 Law Variation refers to a team having fewer than eight players in its scrum when “…the team cannot field a complete team, or a player sent off for Foul Play, or a player leaves the field because of injury.” Does this Law Variation also apply if a player is cautioned and temporarily suspended (yellow card)?

2. The Under-19 law Variation refers to both teams using reduced numbers of players in the scrum formation if “…a team is incomplete…” because it is without one, two or three players. No distinction is made between forward players and back players. If a No. 15 is sent off early in a match, must both teams play with seven players in the scrum, even though both teams still have eight players suitably trained and capable of playing in the scrum?

3. If a team cannot field a complete team because it is short one or more forward player, but that team is able to provide from the available players suitably trained players to contest scrums, may the game proceed/continue with eight player scrums per team?

Ruling of the Designated Members

The complete team is a reference to having eight players who can play in the scrum. If a forward leaves the field of play for any reason and cannot be replaced because of injury, sending off, temporary suspension or any other reason then both teams must reduce the number of players in the scrum so that there are equal numbers.

If any player other than a forward has to leave the field for any reason and cannot be replaced there will be no reduction in the players playing in the scrum.

This will be referred to the Chairman of the Rugby Committee for the Law to be amended to provide clarity.