Changes in Law 2009 + CBRU Regulations 2010

This explains it all

Read this and impress the know it alls in the bar after a match,

plus annoy the ref with your knowledge of where he went wrong.

Connacht Branch

REGULATIONS

2009 – 2010

ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL OF THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONNACHT BRANCH COMPETITIONS SEASON 2010/ 2011

These regulations made by the Connacht Branch, Irish Rugby Football Union are the regulations governing all Connacht Branch competitions Season 2009/2010 unless otherwise notified to Clubs by the BRANCH. In addition to these regulations the Connacht Branch competitions shall be played under the International Rugby Board Laws of the Game and the International Rugby Board Regulations and also under the Laws and Regulations of the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Each participating Club has indicated its wish to participate in the Connacht Branch competitions and to adhere to these regulations by executing a formal acceptance in the form of the Schedule attached on its own behalf and on behalf of each of its participating players.

1. The competitions shall be called the Senior League, Senior Cup, Junior League Divisions 1A and 1B, Junior League Division II, The Cawley Cup, The Junior Cup, The Ard-na-Cregg Cup, The U21 League and Cup hereafter for the purposes of these regulations referred to as “the League” and “the Cup”. These regulations will also apply to any other competitions which are run under the auspices of the Connacht Branch.

2. In these regulations the expression “the Branch” shall mean the Connacht Branch, Irish Rugby Football Union and shall where the content so admits or requires include the Committee of the Branch and any person nominated or authorised by the Branch to act on behalf of the Branch for the purpose of these regulations.

3. All Clubs competing in the competitions shall be deemed to have accepted and to be bound by these regulations.

4. Subject to the overriding authority of the Branch, the competitions shall be organised and controlled by the Competitions Committee, comprising a Chairman, the C.E.O., the Rugby Administrator and a representative from various clubs of the Branch.

5. Subject to the overriding authority of the Branch and the other provisions of these regulations

5.1 The Competitions Committee shall have responsibility for the operation and control of the competitions and for ensuring compliance by all Clubs and persons involved with these regulations. 5.2 The Competitions Committee shall have power to act on its own initiative and to make decisions for the proper administration of the competitions and compliance with these regulations and to impose such sanctions as may be permitted by these regulations.

5.3 The Branch shall have no liability to any Club or person arising from any negligence or failure by the Branch to ensure compliance with these regulations.

5.4 The Competitions Committee shall be entitled to delegate to the Rugby Administrator (or in his absence such other person as may be nominated by the Branch) or such one or more members of the Competitions Committee as it may determine such of its functions as it may reasonably decide, confirm or ratify and any decision of such person or persons shall be as valid and effective as if made by the full Competitions Committee and for the purposes of these regulations shall be regarded as a decision of the Competitions Committee.

5.5 The Rugby Administrator may at his sole discretion

(i) make decisions himself or

(ii) refer the matter to the Chairman of the Sub Committee to make the decision or

(iii) refer the matter to the Competitions Committee (of which he is a member) to make the decision.

Any such decision shall be called “the first decision”.

5.6 Where the Rugby Administrator asks the Chairman of the Competitions Committee to make the first decision it shall be within the discretion of the Chairman of the Competitions Committee or the

Competitions Committee as appropriate to decide whether or not to hold a full hearing. In the event that it is decided to hold a full hearing the procedures set out at Regulation 7.3 below shall apply.

5.7 The first decision shall be communicated to such Club, or person as may be directly affected as soon as reasonably possible.

6. OBJECTIONS AND APPEALS

6.1 Any objection or appeal from any decision made pursuant to these regulations or in relation to the operation of these regulations or in relation to a breach of these regulations shall be in writing and shall be received by the Branch not later than 72 hours from the date of the event giving rise to the objection or decision.

6.2 All objections or appeals must be in writing and signed by the Honorary Secretary or Acting Honorary Secretary of the Club and state the grounds of the objection or appeal.

6.3 All objections must be accompanied by a deposit of €200. All appeals must be accompanied by a deposit of €500. Such payments may be refunded if the objection or appeal is deemed not to be frivolous.

6.4 No objection or appeal shall be accepted from any person who is not a member of a Club affiliated to a Branch of the Union and any such objection or appeal must be made by the Honorary Secretary or Acting Honorary Secretary of such Club on behalf of such person.

6.5 No person shall be entitled to be a member of any committee hearing an appeal who has made, or acted on any committee who has made, the decision which is the subject of the appeal, or who is a member of a Club involved in or directly affected by the appeal.

6.6 The Branch shall cause a copy on an objection or an appeal to be sent to any Club, or person directly affected with all reasonable speed.

6.7 Where a decision is made pursuant to these regulations by an authorised person or Committee, which affects the League position of any Club, it shall not be permissible for any Club which was not involved in or did not participate in the match in respect of which the objection or appeal arose, to lodge an objection or appeal against any such decision.

7. HEARINGS OF OBJECTIONS OR APPEALS

7.1 Where the first decision is made by the Rugby Administrator himself any objection to such decision shall be heard by the Chairman of the Competitions Committee and there shall be a right of appeal from his decision to the Branch Appeals Committee (The Appeals Committee) to be appointed by the Committee of the Branch.

7.2 Where the first decision is made by the Competitions Committee or the Chairman thereof any objection or appeal in relation to same shall be heard by the Appeals Sub Committee

7.3 The Branch shall arrange for the Chairman of the Competitions Committee, or the Appeals Committee as may be appropriate (the Hearing Committee) to adjudicate upon the objection or appeal in which event

7.3.1 The Branch shall arrange for a hearing of such objection or appeal with all convenient speed at such time and place as it may determine provided that any Club or person directly affected shall be given reasonable notice either in writing or orally to be confirmed in writing, of the time and place of such hearing.

7.3.2 The Hearing Committee shall permit any Club or person directly affected by such appeal including a representative of the Competitions Committee to submit evidence, call witnesses and made representations at the hearing.

7.3.3 No Club or person appearing at a hearing before the Hearing Committee shall be entitled to be represented by more than two persons.

7.3.4 Subject to the requirements of Natural Justice the procedures to be adopted at the hearing shall be entirely at the discretion of the Hearing Committee. The Hearing Committee shall be entitled to call such witnesses and seek such advice as it may require.

7.3.5 The decision of the Hearing Committee shall be notified to all parties directly affected as soon as reasonably possible

7.3.6 The decision of the Appeals Committee hearing the appeal shall be final and binding on all parties and shall not be appealed to or reviewed by a Court of Law.

8. ENFORCEMENT POWERS

8.1 Where the Competitions Committee, the Chairman of the Competitions Committee or the Appeals Committee request a Club or person to provide information in relation to any matter, a reasonable time limit may be imposed and notified for the provision of such information and in the event that such time limit is not complied with, the Competitions Committee or the Chairman of the Competitions Committee or the Appeals Committee (as may be appropriate) may deal with the matter in the absence of such information.

8.2 Where there is a breach or non-observance of any regulation, law or code of conduct, misconduct, disciplinary matter, failure to fulfill a fixture, non-compliance with any regulation or bye-law of the Branch or non-compliance with a regulation, requirement or decision of the Competitions Committee or of a Committee of the Branch or in any case considered to be detrimental to the best interests of the Game, the Competitions Committee, the Chairman of the Competitions Committee or the Appeals Committee shall be entitled in its or his unfettered discretion to impose all or any of the following sanctions or penalties on the offending Club or player:

1. Imposition of a fine

2. Requirement to replay the match at such time and at such venue as is thought fit.

3. Forfeiture of and or the granting of the points for the match.

4. Loss of as many League points as may be determined.

5. Suspension or expulsion of the Club or the player from the League and/or Cup for such period as it thought fit

6. Such other penalty or sanction as may be deemed appropriate.

7. Make an award of costs against any party.

Failure to fulfill a fixture shall result in the deduction of not less than one league point and any other sanction that the Competitions Committee may deemed appropriate.

9. STRUCTURES 2010-2011

9.1 The Senior League and Senior Cup shall comprise of the 4 AIL Connacht Clubs.

Junior League Division IA shall comprise of 12 teams and Junior League Division IB shall comprise of 10 teams. Junior League Division II shall comprise of 14 teams (TBC)

The Cawley Cup will be confined to 1st teams of all Non-AIL Clubs and will be played on a knock out basis. The club representing Connacht in the Round Robin series will not participate in the Cawley Cup.

The Connacht Junior Challenge Cup will be contested by the 1st teams all Non-AIL clubs and the 2nd teams of the 4 AIL clubs. This will also be a knock out competition. AIL club players who have started 5 or more games from the following competitions, Connacht Senior Cup, AIL League or AIL Cup games shall be ineligible to play in this competition. Teams ranking 1 to 8 in Junior League Divison 1A at the time of the draw shall be exempt from round 1 of the Connacht Junior Cup.

The Ard-na-Cregg Cup will be contested by clubs currently competing in Junior League Division II. Any player wishing to play in the Ard-na-Cregg must have started a minimum of 4 Junior League Division II games. Any player who has started a Junior Cup match may not take part in the Ard-na-Cregg Cup. Players who have started Cawley Cup games must be regraded if they wish to play in the Ard-na-Cregg Cup.

The four highest placed qualifying League clubs from Division IA will qualify to represent Connacht in the All-Ireland Junior Cup season 2010/2011.

9.2 The top Non-AIL Club in Division IA at the completion of the League program will go forward to represent Connacht All Ireland League.

9.3 The position of a Club in Division IA and Division IB shall be established by awarding four League points for a win and two League points for a draw.

One bonus point will be awarded to a Club scoring four or more tries in a match and one bonus point will be awarded to a Club losing by 7 points or less in Division I alone.

The position of a Club in Division II shall be established by awarding four League points for a win and two League points for a draw. One bonus point will be awarded to a Club losing by 7 points or less in Division II also. The matches of any team ejected from the league will become null and void.

9.3(a) A club that fails to fulfill a fixture in Division I (A&B) may have up to five points deducted from their total and may receive a fine. The club who received the walkover may be awarded up to five points.

A club that fails to fulfill three fixtures which were not sanctioned by the Competitions committee may be ejected from league. The matches of any team ejected from the league will become null and void.

9.3(b) A club that fails to fulfill a fixture in Division II may have four points deducted from their total and may receive a fine. The club who received the walkover may be awarded four points.

9.4 If for some reason Division IA of the Junior League is not completed on schedule, then the Branch retains the right to put forward a Club to represent Connacht in the All Ireland League. The selection will be based on the Standings in the League at the time of the decision.

9.5 If a team is unable, due to injuries, to field a front row and substitutes, as required then the fixture shall go ahead with uncontested scrums and the following shall be the consequence:

1. If the team who are unable to field a front row win they are entitled to a maximum of two points.

2. If the team who are unable to field a front row lose but score four tries they are entitled to one point.

3. The opposing team are entitled to a MIMIMUM of two points even if they lose without four scoring four tries or being within 7 points.

4. If the opposing team lose and score four tries they are entitled to three points.

5. If the opposing team lose and are within 7 points they are entitled to three points.

6. If the opposing team lose, score four tries and are within 7 points they are entitled to four points.

7. If there is a draw the team unable to field a front row shall be entitled to one point and the opposing team shall be entitled to two points plus a bonus point should they score four tries or more.

If a Club fails to nominate the required number of players capable of playing in front row positions so that after injuries to the front row, the captain of that team declares that he has no front row replacements, the match will continue with non-contested scrums, and sanctions and/or penalties as provided above shall apply.

If a club cannot satisfy the front row requirements and the above laws are then applied, the said club will provide the Competitions Committee with a written explanation as to why they were unable to field the required front row players.

Should a club find themselves in the position of being unable to field the requisite front row players on a second occasion then the matter will be investigated by the Competitions Committee and further sanctions and or penalties may be applied.

10. PROMOTION & RELEGATION

10.1 At the end of the 2010/2011season the top eight clubs from Junior League Division 1A (after any promotion to the All Ireland League) shall remain in Junior League Division 1A, the bottom 3 clubs shall be relegated to Junior League Division 1B.

10.2 At the end of the 2010/2011 season the top 4 clubs in Junior league Division 1B shall remain in Junior League Division 1B, they will be joined by the relegated 3 clubs from Junior League Division 1A to create an 7 club league. The bottom 6 clubs shall be relegated to the newly formed Junior League Division 1C. The winners of Junior League Division II have the option of joining Division 1C provided their 1st team is not already competing in this league.

10.3 In the event of Clubs at the top or bottom of a division being equal in League points gained, winning a division, promotion and relegation shall be decided on the basis of a play off between the clubs. Any play offs will be fixed for a neutral venue.

However in the event of a club having failed to fulfill a league fixture and that club ends its league campaign on equal points with another club, should a relegation issue arise the club who failed to fulfill the fixture will be relegated.

11. LEAGUE FIXTURES

11.1 Matches shall be played on dates decided by the Competitions Committee with the approval of the Committee of the Branch.

11.2 The Competitions Committee shall arrange the fixture list for each season.

Matches shall normally be played on Sundays but the Competitions Committee shall have full power to arrange matches for Saturdays or other days and to alter previously fixed dates and venues should circumstances arise to warrant such alteration.

11.3 Matches shall kick off at 3.00pm from 1st September to 31st October and at 2.30pm from the 1st November to the 31st January and from 3pm from the 1st February. However if for special reasons two Clubs mutually agree to an alternative date or kick off time, both Clubs must apply in writing to the Competitions Committee at least 7 days prior to the date of the match in question and obtain consent in writing from the Competitions Committee prior to the match.

12. POSTPONEMENTS, RE-ARRANGEMENTS, FITNESS OF GROUND

12.1 A League match can only be postponed and with the approval of the Chairman or Administrator of the Competitions Committee.

When a league match is postponed or abandoned it shall be played or replayed on a date to be decided by the Competitions Committee at its next meeting.

12.2 In the event of a match having to be postponed, it shall be the responsibility of the home Club to inform (a) the Chairman of the Competitions Committee (b) their opponents (c) the referee and

touch judges, as soon as possible. Failure to do so may result in the home Club being liable for all or part of the expenses of their opponents and match officials.

12.3 The Competitions Committee shall draw up a list of nominated persons to act on the Ground Fitness Panel, as set out in the regulations, who shall be available for consultation when the fitness of a ground is to be considered. A Club which has doubt about the fitness of its ground shall contact the Asst. Honorary Secretary of the Branch before 10.30am on the morning of the fixture who will in turn contact the Ground Fitness Panel nominee. This nominee will discuss the situation with the Club and if necessary visit and inspect the ground. Where there is doubt about the fitness of a ground and there is a reasonable prospect that with improved weather conditions the ground could be playable by kick off time, a decision on whether or not the pitch is playable shall be postponed until close to the kick off time. Matches may not be postponed on grounds that the safety of the players might be prejudiced unless with the additional approval of the match referee.

12.4 The determination of the fitness of the ground shall be the responsibility of the member of the Ground Fitness Panel, whose decision shall be final.

In the event of the appropriate member of the Ground Fitness Panel not being available on any occasion the League Sub Committee may nominate another person to act on the Ground Fitness panel.

Subject to the provisions of regulation 12.2., where doubt exists as to the fitness of a ground, the home Club shall make early contact with the visiting Club as to its travel arrangements etc., in order that contact can be made prior to a Club commencing its journey.

13. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

13.1 Registration of Players

On or before September 12th each Club playing in the League shall have all its playing members registered for the League season. Each club will submit to the Competitions Committee a hard copy list of all its adult playing members and their respective registration number prior to the commencement of the league.

Each player must have a current registration number with his Branch.

A player transferring from one Club to another Club should also comply with the IRFU Regulations governing rugby at Club level.

A player may register with one Club only. If he registers with more than one Club his registration may be declared void. All players must have a valid registration number and any team which includes a player who does not have a valid registration number shall be subject to the sanctions as laid out in section 8.2

13.2 Eligibility of players

The following are eligible to register

(a) Players who qualify to play for Ireland under IRB Regulations.

(This includes players who have completed three years residency immediately preceding the time of playing)

(b) Players who hold a passport issued by a country which is a member of the E.U. and who are resident in Ireland on 1st September and remain in residence until the commencement of the League program.

In the above cases, players must both be resident in Ireland on 12th September and remain in residence until the commencement of the League.

For the purposes of this regulation residency is defined as “Permanent place of residence”.

Exceptions

In any season each Club may register one player who does not satisfy the above criteria provided that he has taken up residence and has been properly registered prior to the1st October.

Other players are regarded as overseas players. Each Club is permitted to register one such player per team in any season provided that he has taken up residence and has completed his registration one week prior to the official commencement of the League program. Only one overseas player is permitted to play on any one team.

A player who has registered with the Union cannot play rugby in another Union without receiving written clearance from the Union.

13.3 A player who during the current season has played at any level for a Club in Ireland or for a Club from another Union shall be ineligible to play in competition for another Club, without the consent of the Competitions Committee.

A player may not play adult rugby until he has reached his 18th birthday.

13.4 Notwithstanding the provisions of this Regulation 13, any player or Club shall be entitled in writing to submit to the Branch any special circumstances he or it considers relevant to registration. The submission shall be considered by the Chairman of the Competitions Committee who shall in appropriate cases be entitled in his absolute discretion to accept the registration of such player provided the submission is made before the commencement of the League program.

13.5 In exceptional circumstances the Chairman of the Competitions Committee may in his absolute discretion, on application in writing by the player supported by the consent in writing of both Clubs, agree to the player changing Clubs notwithstanding that the League has started and that the player has already played in the competition.

13.6 Regrading requests must be submitted in writing (by email) to the Competitions Committee before noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend that the player is to be regarded for. Approval or rejection of the requests will be communicated in writing (email) to the clubs following the Competitions Committee meeting.

All such requests must list the name of the player to being regraded and his replacement on the relevant panel.

14. DUAL STATUS PLAYERS

14.1 The term “dual status” refers to a player who although a bona fide member of a non League Club in Ireland may play for a Club in the AIL provided the following regulations are observed.

14.1.1 The “dual status” principle shall be available to all AIL League Clubs.

14.1.2 A “dual status” player may represent an AIL club in the Connacht Senior League or Connacht Senior Cup provided he has the written permission of his home club.

14.1.3 A League Club shall be limited to selecting or playing not more than three such players in one season. Selection shall include players who are selected as replacements / substitutes for League or Cup matches.

14.1.4 AIL League clubs must submit to the Competitions Committee copies of the written permission received from the Qualifying league club allowing their player to represent the AIL club.

14.1.5 “Dual Status” players may not appear on an AIL Teams panel.

15. REFEREES.

15.1 Referees for Branch Competitions shall be appointed by the Association of Referee, Connacht Branch in conjunction with the Provincial Branches Referees Society/Associations.

15.3 In the event of the referee failing to turn up for a League match or being unable to continue to referee a match, the two clubs should endeavour to agree a replacement referee. Failing agreement the home club shall appoint a referee. Any person appointed to referee a match must have, at a minimum, successfully completed the “Associate Referee” course.

15.3 (a) ASSOCIATE REFEREES

IRFU

Domestic Rugby

1. As and from the commencement of Season 2006/2007, it will be IRFU policy that all rugby played within the Laws of the Game (incl. U19 Variations) will be refereed by:

Members of the Branch Referee Associations/Society or

Associate Members (new category) of the Referee Associations/Society

2. Associate Members:

These are defined as persons who:

2.1 are qualified as Associate Members

2.2 appointed, by a school or club, to referee a match, or training session, in which their school or club (adults or youth) is playing.

2.3 appointed by their school or club (or requested by the Branch) to a „blitz? or similar tournament in which their school or club is participating.

2.4 are not available for appointment to matches by the Branch or Branch Referee Associations/Society. [Associate Members may also apply, if they wish, for full membership of the Referee Associations/Society.]

3. Qualification Requirements:

Associate Members qualify by:

3.1 attendance at IRFU Referee Workshop

3.2 database registration

3.3 qualification is valid for 3 Seasons (exclusive of initial season of validation.)

3.4 qualification must be renewed during 4th Season

4. Benefits:

4.1 membership „card? (email) with re-validation (expiry) season

4.2 registered on IRFU/Provincial database as Associate

4.3 mailing list of Associations/Society for advice on Law changes/ rulings/meetings

4.4 IRFU insurance

5. Overall Rationale:

5.1 improve the game and refereeing standards

5.2 address safety issues

5.3 formalise the status of these referees

15.4 The referee after each match shall send to the Rugby Administrator, the detailed result of the match and the team lists for both Clubs.

15.5 Under Law 10 of the Laws of the Game the referee may caution an offending player that he will be sent off if he repeats the offence. This he will signify by producing a yellow card. Any objection to a yellow card must be notified by the player to the Rugby Administrator within one week of the date such yellow card was issued. If a player receives three yellow cards he may be required to attend a meeting of a Branch Disciplinary Committee at which he may receive a suspension.

16. PLAYERS SENT OFF THE FIELD OF PLAY OR CITED

Players sent off or cautioned under Regulation 15.5. above or cited in League matches shall be dealt with under IRFU Regulation 5 – Disciplinary Committees and Procedures - as set out in the Union Handbook (which shall be subject to amendment by the Union Committee from time to time).

17. CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITY

17.1 Clubs participating in Branch Competitions are responsible and accountable for the conduct of their players, officials, members and supporters in attendance at matches.

17.2 Clubs, players, officials and members must ensure that

17.2.1 Matches are played in accordance with disciplined and sporting behaviour

17.2.2 None of the persons referred to in 17.1 engage in an act or acts of misconduct

For the purposes of the Branch Competitions misconduct shall mean conduct, behaviour or practices on or off the playing enclosure which may bring the Game of Rugby or the Union into disrepute or may be detrimental to the best interests of the Union or of the Game.

17.3 For the avoidance of doubt a Club may be sanctioned for misconduct even if a referee has already penalised one or more of its players for his or their conduct during a match.

17.4 Each participating Club will be represented by bona fide members of the Club who are eligible pursuant to these regulations. Each Club shall play at full available strength in all matches unless some satisfactory reason is given. In the event of the explanation not being deemed satisfactory the Competitions & Re-Grading Sub Committee shall have the power to impose such reasonable penalties as it shall think fit.

17.5 No player may participate in Branch Competitions while serving a disciplinary sanction imposed by the Union, by a Branch of the Union or by his Club.

18. REPLACEMENTS / SUBSTITUTES

Teams playing in Division IA and 1B may tog out up to five additional players, (a club must not have more than 20 players togged) who may act as substitutes replacements, subject to Law 3 of the Laws of the Game.

A team should have five players who can play in front row positions.

Teams playing in Division II may tog out up to five additional players, who may act as substitutes or replacements, subject to Law 3 of the Laws of the Game. A team should have five players who can play in front row positions. The Under 19 scrum laws will apply in Division II.

Teams may tog out up to five additional players, who may act as substitutes or replacements, subject to Law 3 of the Laws of the Game in all cup competitions. A team should have five players who can play in front row positions.

19. CLASH OF COLOURS

In the event of a clash of colours, of which the referee is the sole judge, it shall be the responsibility of the home Club to change into a playing strip which is significantly different in colour from the normal playing strip.

20. TEAM SHEETS / LIST

Prior to the kick off, Clubs shall be required to submit to the referee and the opposing team manager the list of names of the teams and replacements / substitutes, correctly numbered. A player must wear the jersey whose number corresponds to his number on the team list. The name/s of players who can play in the front row positions must be indicated. Failure to comply with this regulation may be the subject of an objection by the opposing team, or the Competitions Committee and will be dealt with accordingly.

The Competitions Committee reserve the right to request the registration number of any player listed on a team sheet.

21. PLAYING ENCLOSURE & TECHNICAL ZONES

(i) The playing enclosure should be defined preferably by a fence, if not by ropes.

(ii) If there is a stand, seats should be made available for replacements.

Two technical zones are to be designated, clearly marked in white paint, each nine metres long and three metres wide and not less than two metres from the touchline, one on either side of the halfway line, in which benches should be placed and a zone should be allocated to each team. The attendants and replacements must remain within their zone. The referee has the authority to order them out of the playing enclosure if they fail to adhere to this requirement.

(iii) Ball boys and a limited number of press photographers may also be permitted inside the enclosure.

(iv) Replacements and substitutes must enter the field of play from the technical zones and be introduced by the replacement touch-judge.

(v) Each team must nominate to the referee its medical officer, team attendant / physiotherapist and coach. The coach cannot act as team attendant who is the only person permitted on the field during the match, and only to attend to an injured player. Players requiring water or drinks must come to the touch line.

(vi) Coaches are precluded from entering the playing enclosure (excluding the players technical zone) during the course of a game except at half time when the coach may come on to the field to speak to his team.

(vii) Kicking tees may be used by individual kickers for personal use.

(viii) Sand must be made available for both teams, if requested. It must be brought on to the pitch in a non-breakable container.

(ix) The home club should supply touch judge flags.

22. TROPHIES

(i) Senior League Winner: Trophy and 20 medals

(ii) Senior Cup Winner: Trophy and 20 medals

(iii) Junior League Division 1 Winner: Trophy and 20 medals

(iv) Junior League Division II Winner: Trophy and 20 medals

(v) Junior Cup: Winner Trophy and 20 medals

(vi) Cawley Cup: Trophy and 20 medals

(vii) Ard-na-Cregg Cup: Trophy and 20 medals

(viii) Under 21 League: Trophy and 20 medals

(ix) Under 21 Cup: Trophy and 20 medals

23. APPLICABLE LAW

These regulations shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of Ireland

24. UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

The Competitions Committee shall be entitled to make decisions on all matters not provided for in these regulations.

25. No proceedings pursuant to these Regulations shall be quashed or held invalid by reason only of any defect, irregularity, omission or other technicality, provided there has been no miscarriage of justice.

SCHEDULE

Formal Acceptance by a Participating Club.

RFC ("the Club") accepts the invitation to take part in the Connacht Branch Competitions for the season 2009/2010 on the basis of the regulations governing the League and Cup competitions for this season a copy of which has been provided to the Club. The Club agrees with the Branch as defined in the regulations, on its own behalf and on behalf of each member of its team, to observe the regulations and the decisions of the Branch, the Competitions Committee, the Chairman of the Competitions Committee and the Branch Appeals Committee made under and pursuant to these regulations.

The Club will ensure that each member of its team is made fully aware of the regulations before the commencement of the League and that each or any member of its team will comply with such regulations.

SIGNED for RFC

for and on behalf of the Club and its Players

in the presence of:

Name: .............................................

(Signature of duly authorised signatory)

Name: ……………………………………………

(in block letters)

Position in Club

Date:

Witness Name: …………………………………

SIGNED on behalf of the Branch

by Gerry Kelly in the presence of:

Name: .............................................

(Signature duly authorised signatory)

Position in Union: Secretary/Treasurer

Date:

5 DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEES

The disciplinary committees of the Union are the Disciplinary Committee and the Committee of Appeal

5.1. Disciplinary Committee

This is a Sub Committee of the Committee of the Union to hear disciplinary cases relating to sendings off, citings, misconduct or conduct detrimental to the best interests of the Union or the Game or any other matter referred to it from time to time by the Committee and including:

5.1.1 Matters arising from:-

(i) Matches in the All Ireland League and Cup;

(ii) Matches involving Branch Representative Teams (but excluding Schools and Youth teams);

(iii) All other matches under the jurisdiction of the Union not being matches under the jurisdiction of a Branch;

5.1.2 Matters referred by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Officer of the Union;

5.1.3 Matters relating to Regulations 6 and 9.

5.2 Committee of Appeal

This is a Sub Committee of the Committee of the Union to hear appeals from the Disciplinary Committee and the League Sub Committee provided for in Regulation 9 (“the League Sub Committee”)

5.3 Composition of the Disciplinary Committees

5.3.1 The Committee of the Union shall appoint:-

(i) The Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee and the Chairman of the Committee of Appeal both of whom shall be members of the Committee;

(ii) A panel (“the Panel”) of persons, preferably with experience in disciplinary matters or with a legal or rugby background, who need not be members of the Committee of the Union to be members of the Disciplinary Committees.

5.3.2 The Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee shall select the members of each hearing committee (“the hearing committee”) including the chairman thereof from the Panel.

5.3.3 The Chairman of the Committee of Appeal shall select the members of each hearing committee including the chairman thereof from the Panel.

5.3.4 The chairman of a hearing committee shall, where possible, be a member of the Committee of the Union. The members of a hearing committee need not be members of the Committee of the Union.

5.3.5 The hearing committee shall not include any person who is a member of a club with any direct interest in the issue under consideration.

5.3.6 The quorum for any hearing committee shall consist of a chairman and two other members of the Panel.

5.3.7 If a member of any hearing committee (other than the chairman) is unable or unwilling, for any reason, to act, then the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee or the Committee of Appeal may, in his absolute discretion, either;

(i) Appoint another member of the Panel as a replacement; or

(ii) Appoint a new hearing committee.

5.4 Branch Disciplinary Committees

Each Branch shall set up a Disciplinary Committee and a Committee of Appeal which shall have power to act in the name of the Branch in dealing with disciplinary cases, sendings off, citings, misconduct or conduct detrimental to the best interests of the Union or the Game, whether on or off the playing enclosure, arising from matches under the jurisdiction of, or approved by, the Branch or to be dealt with by the Branch pursuant to Regulation 5.9

5.5 Disciplinary Officer

5.5.1 The Committee of the Union shall appoint a Disciplinary Officer who shall be an employee of the Union.

5.5.2 The functions of the Disciplinary Officer shall be:

(i) To receive disciplinary reports, complaints and appeals on behalf of the Union, to convene the appropriate hearing committee to deal with the case and to communicate its decision to the relevant parties;

(ii) To act as Rugby Administration Manager of the Union to include the administration of the All Ireland League and Cup;

(iii) To investigate cases of alleged misconduct or any conduct alleged to be detrimental to the best interests of the Union or of the Game, whether on or off the field of play, and whether or not the incident has been dealt with by the match officials, and to recommend to the Chief Executive, in appropriate cases, that the matter be referred to the Disciplinary Committee;

(iv) To advise the Chief Executive of the names of persons for appointment as Match Commissioners, or Citing Commissioners, or to act on the Panel for the hearing committees.

5.6. Committee Procedures

In these Regulations the expression, the “hearing committee”, shall include the Disciplinary Committee and Committee of Appeal set up by a Branch and the Disciplinary Committee and the Committee of Appeal set up by the Union.

5.6.1 (i) The chairman of the hearing committee shall confirm to the parties involved the date, time and place at which the hearing will take place:

(ii) Any objection to the composition of a hearing committee shall be made not later than 48 hours before the date of the hearing, failing which any objection shall be deemed to have been waived, provided only that if the composition of the hearing committee has not been notified to the parties or it has been changed, so that it is not practicable to object 48 hours before the hearing, the objection may be made at the commencement of the hearing;

(iii) The chairman of a hearing committee shall be entitled to determine any pre-hearing procedural or evidential issues or disputes without recourse to the other members of the hearing committee;

(iv) Subject to the requirements of natural justice the procedures to be adopted at the hearing shall entirely be at the discretion of the hearing committee;

(v) A hearing committee may require any person to attend the hearing as a witness and shall be entitled to call experts to provide specialist advice, including legal advice;

(vi) The chairman of a hearing committee shall be entitled to postpone or adjourn a hearing at his own discretion;

(vii) All proceedings before a hearing committee shall be held in private unless otherwise ordered by the hearing committee;

(viii) A decision of a hearing committee shall be valid if taken by a majority of the members of that committee. No member of a hearing committee may abstain from any decision. Where a hearing committee has an even number of members and the members of such committee are unable to come to a unanimous or majority decision, then the chairman shall have a casting vote;

(ix) In any case where a hearing committee is required to consider:-

(a) An incident of alleged foul play it may decide to impose a penalty or take such action as it deems appropriate in all the circumstances;

(b) A referee?s decision to send off a player, the hearing committee may review the referee?s reasons for the decision and the circumstances surrounding it. In any such case the hearing committee shall not make a finding contrary to the referee?s decision unless it is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that on the evidence adduced by or on behalf of the player, the referee?s reasons for his decision were wrong;

(c) an incident of alleged foul play which has not been the subject of a determination on the field of play by a referee it shall not impose any penalty unless it is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the allegation is proved.

(x) At any hearing the absence of any party or witness shall not, of itself, prevent the hearing committee from hearing and determining the matter.

(xi) Where a hearing committee requests a Branch, Club, player or person to provide information in relation to any matter, a reasonable time limit may be permitted and notified for the provision of such information and in the event that such time limit is not complied with, the hearing committee may deal with the matter in the absence of such information.

5.7 Enforcement Powers

5.7.1 Where there is a breach or non-observance of any regulation, law or code of conduct, misconduct, or any other disciplinary matter, or a failure to fulfil a fixture, or non-compliance with any regulation, requirement or decision of a committee or in any case considered to be detrimental to the best interests of the Game or the Union the hearing committee shall be entitled in its absolute discretion to impose any one or more of the following sanctions or penalties on the offending Branch, Club, player or person, as the case may be:-

(i) A caution, a warning as to future conduct, or a reprimand;

(ii) A fine;

(iii) The requirement to replay a match at such time and at such venue as is thought fit;

(iv) The forfeiture of, and/or the granting to an other club or clubs, of the competition points for a match;

(v) The deduction of competition points;

(vi) The suspension or expulsion of the Branch, Club, player or person for such period as may be deemed appropriate;

(vii) Such other penalty or sanction as may be deemed appropriate;

(viii) Make a payment of costs.

5.8 Disciplinary Procedures.

5.8.1 Sendings Off The referee, unless exceptional circumstances make it impossible, shall, within twenty four hours of the end of the match in which he sent the player off the field of play, send to the Secretary of the Branch and the Secretary of the Association or Society of Referees, or in the case of All Ireland League and Cup matches the Disciplinary Officer of the Union, a written report incorporating:

(i) The name of the player and his club;

(ii) The circumstances in which the player was sent off the field of play;

(iii) The reason or reasons for the sending off;

(iv) Any other circumstances he considers material.

5.8.2 Citings

5.8.2.1 Citings involving Citing Commissioners

Where the Union appoints an independent Citing Commissioner to act on its behalf for matches under its jurisdiction the I.R.B. Regulation 17 shall apply to any such appointment.

5.8.2.2 Citings not involving Citing Commissioners

(i) Where a player commits an act of foul play which would warrant the player concerned being sent off, which has not been detected by the match officials, then in such circumstances, either the Union, clubs, or organisations participating in the match have the discretion to cite that player in writing to the Union or the Branch having jurisdiction over the match.

(ii) A citing can be made by any of the participating organisations (i.e. Union, Branch, Club, Referees? Association or Society) through its Disciplinary Officer or its Secretary.

(iii) A citing must be made in writing within seventy two hours of the end of the day of the alleged incident to the Secretary of the player?s Branch or the Disciplinary Officer of the Union giving the following information:

(a) The date and place of the alleged incident;

(b) The name of the Club and the team of the alleged offender;

team; and

(d) Full details of the alleged incident.

(iv) The player, his club, the referee and where applicable the touch judges, shall be sent copies of the citing complaint.

(v) The citing Club or participating organisation shall be required to send a representative to the hearing. Failure

to do so shall result in the complaint being summarily dismissed.

(vi) A cited player, other than a player cited by a Citing Commissioner, may continue playing the game until suspended by a hearing committee

5.8.3 Procedures in sendings off and citings.

5.8.3.1 (i) All disciplinary matters referred to in Regulation 5.4. above, shall be dealt with by the Branch ;

(ii) All other cases shall be dealt with by the Disciplinary Committee of the Union.

5.8.3.2 (i) The referee or other match official as appropriate, shall be invited, and shall be expected to attend the hearing committee at which the allegation against a player will be dealt with for the purpose of assisting the hearing committee in reaching its decision.

(ii) The referee or other match official shall be entitled to be represented by a person of his own choice at the hearing committee.

(iii) The absence of the referee or other match official shall not prevent the hearing committee dealing with the case nor shall such absence, if any, invalidate the decision of the hearing committee.

5.8.3.3. The player sent off or cited shall be informed by the Branch or the Union, as appropriate, through his own club as soon as possible of:

(i) The reason for his sending off, including a copy of the match official?s report, or if the player is cited, a copy of the citation;

(ii) The date, place and time of the hearing and where practicable the members of the hearing committee;

(iii) The date and place of the alleged incident and the names of the teams involved;

(iv) A requirement that he appear in person before the hearing committee and that if he be unable to do so that he shall contact the chairman of the hearing committee immediately.

5.8.3.4.

(i) Only in exceptional circumstances should a hearing be dealt with in the absence of the player;

(ii) When necessary, the hearing committee should accommodate a reasonable request by the player that the hearing be postponed or adjourned;

(iii) The player shall be entitled to be accompanied by up to two persons one of whom may be a legal representative at the hearing.

5.8.3.5. A player who has been sent off shall not play the game pending determination of his case.

5.9 Committee Decisions

5.9.1.1 The hearing committee in making its decision in the case of illegal or foul play shall have regard to the IR.B. Sanctions and Procedures contained in Appendix I below.

5.9.1.2 If the hearing committee finds on the facts established before it that the offence referred to in the referee?s report or in the citation has not been proved but that a lesser offence has been committed by the player, it may decide to sanction the player for such lesser offence.

5.9.1.3 In the case of misconduct the hearing committee shall have the power to impose any one or more of the following sanctions which sanction may, where appropriate, be suspended:-

(i) A caution, a warning as to future conduct, or a reprimand;

(ii) A fine;

(iii). The requirement to replay a match at such time and at such venue as is thought fit;

(iv) The forfeiture of, and/or the granting to an other club or clubs, of the competition points for a match;

(v) The deduction of competition points;

(vi) The suspension or expulsion of the Branch, Club, player or person for such period as may be deemed appropriate;

(vii) Such other penalty or sanction as may be deemed appropriate;

(viii) Make a payment of costs.

5.9.2 The Disciplinary Officer and the parties shall be notified in writing as soon as practicable after a decision of the hearing committee has been made.

5.9.3 In cases where the Branch deals with disciplinary matters under Regulation 5.4 above, in the event of the player being from a visiting club affiliated to another Branch of the Union, the referee?s report or citation shall be sent by the Secretary of the Branch under whose jurisdiction the game was played to the Secretary of that other Branch which shall deal with the hearing.

5.9.4 In the event of the player being from a visiting club affiliated to another Union, the referee?s or match official?s report or citation shall be sent by the Secretary of the Branch under whose jurisdiction the game was played to the Chief Executive of the Union who shall forward it to that other Union to deal with the hearing.

5.10 Appeals

5.10.1 Right of Appeal

5.10.1.1 (i) An appeal may be brought to the Committee of Appeal by a Branch, club or player from a decision of the Disciplinary Committee or the League Sub Committee.

(ii) An appeal may be brought to the Branch Committee of Appeal by a club or player from a decision of its Disciplinary Committee.

5.10.1.2 The filing of a notice of appeal against a decision of a hearing committee shall not act as a stay on or deferral of any penalty or sanction imposed by the hearing committee.

5.10.1.3 In all cases the decision of the Committee of Appeal shall be final and binding on all parties and shall neither be appealed nor reviewed in a court of law.

5.10.2 Notice of Appeal

5.10.2.1 For an appeal to be valid, the party making the appeal (the “appellant”) shall comply with the following conditions:

(i) File a notice of appeal (the “notice of appeal”) and comply in all respects with regulation 5.10.2.1(ii) below, with the Disciplinary Officer of the Union or the Branch as is appropriate not more than fourteen days after the date of the decision being appealed against. The notice of appeal shall be deemed to have been filed when it is received by the Disciplinary Officer of the Union or the Branch as the case may be;

(ii) Sign the notice of appeal and set out

thereon:-

(a) The date of the decision appealed against;

(b) The specific aspect(s) and parts of the decision being challenged, and

(c) The specific grounds of challenge. No further grounds of challenge may be advanced without the express prior consent of the Committee of Appeal.

(iii) When an appeal is made on behalf of a player by a club it shall only be done with the prior written consent of the player.

(iv) The notice of appeal must be accompanied by a sum of €500.

5.10.2.2. The appellant must serve a copy of the notice of appeal on all the other parties to the original proceedings all of whom shall be deemed to be parties to the appeal.

5.10.2.3. Where the conditions above are not fully complied with the appeal shall be deemed to be invalid and shall be dismissed by the chairman of the Committee of Appeal unless the appellant demonstrates sufficient cause and establishes exceptional circumstances to the chairman to exercise his absolute discretion to permit the appeal to proceed. If the appeal is dismissed pursuant to this regulation the original decision appealed against shall be deemed to be final and binding.

5.11 Appointment of the Committee of Appeal

5.11.1 When a notice of appeal is filed, the Chairman of the Committee of Appeal shall appoint three members from the Panel to sit as the hearing committee to hear the appeal.

5.11.2 None of the members of the Panel who sat on the Hearing Committee that made the decision being appealed may sit on the hearing committee.

5.12 Decisions of Committee of Appeal

5.12.1 The Committee of Appeal may:-

(i) Affirm the decision appealed against;

(ii) Set aside, in whole or in part, the decision appealed against;

(iii) Substitute its own decision for the decision appealed against;

(iv) Revoke or modify any direction or order as to costs;

(v) Order that the whole or part of the € 500 paid by the appellant with the Notice of Appeal be refunded;

(vi) Take any other step that it considers necessary to determine the appeal.

(vii) Order a payment of costs.

5.12.2 The Committee of Appeal shall advise the parties of its decision which shall take effect immediately. The Committee shall confirm its decision in writing as soon as practicable after the hearing.

5.13 General

5.13.1 Public Announcements

The Disciplinary Officer may publish the decisions of the hearing committee as soon as is practicable after the decision has been communicated to the parties. The public announcement of the decision may be by release of the decision itself, or by way of a summary that includes details of the illegal or foul play or misconduct and of the sanctions imposed, if any.

5.13.2 Until such time as a decision is published all parties shall treat the proceedings and the decision itself as confidential.

5.14 Multiple Incidents

Two or more persons or parties may be dealt with at the same hearing committee where the issues and matters to be decided arise out of the same match, incident or facts.

5.15 Conduct and Responsibility

5.15.1 Clubs participating in matches are responsible and accountable for the conduct of their players, officials and members.

5.15.2 Clubs, players, officials and members must ensure:

(i) That matches are played in accordance with disciplined and sporting behaviour;

(ii) And that none of a club?s players, officials nor members engage in any act or acts of misconduct;

5.15.3 For the avoidance of doubt a Club or player may be sanctioned for misconduct even if a referee has already penalised one or more players for his or their conduct during a match.

5.16 Technical and Procedural Breaches

No proceedings, decisions, or orders made pursuant to these regulations shall be deemed invalid by reason only of any procedural or drafting omission or irregularity.

5.17 Extension of Time

Where under these regulations any time is permitted or prescribed the hearing committee shall have discretionary power, on good cause shown, to extend, abridge or vary the prescribed time.

5.18 Communications

All communications regarding any hearing shall be sent to the Disciplinary Officer or the Branch as the case may be.

5.19 Applicable Law

These Regulations shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of Ireland.

Regulation 5 APPENDIX 1

SANCTIONS AND PROCEDURES

1. When imposing sanctions, the hearing committee dealing with and Sending Off and/or citing shall apply the I.R.B. recommended penalties for Illegal and/or Foul Play set out hereunder.

2. The hearing committee shall undertake an assessment of the seriousness of the Player?s conduct, which constitutes the offending and categorise the offence as being at the lower end, mid range or top end of the scale of seriousness in order to identify the appropriate entry point for consideration of a particular incident(s) where such incident(s) is expressly covered in Appendix 1. Such assessment of the seriousness of the Player?s conduct shall be determined by reference to the following features of offending:

(a) The offending was intentional, that is, committed intentionally or deliberately;

(b) The offending was reckless, that is the Player knew (or should have known) there was a risk of committing an act of Illegal and/or Foul Play.

(i) Nature of actions, manner in which offence committed including part of body used i.e. fist, elbow, knee or boot;

(ii) The existence of provocation and whether the Player acted in retaliation and or self-defence;

(d) The effect of the offending Player?s actions on the victim (i.e. extent of injury, removal of Player from game);

(e) The effect of offending Player?s actions on the game;

(f) The vulnerability of victim Player including part of victim?s body involved/affected, position of Player, ability to defend himself;

(g) The level of participation in the offending and level of premeditation;

(h) Whether the conduct of the offending Player was completed or amounted to an attempt;

(i) Any other feature relevant to the offending.

Based on the assessment of the offence(s) under consideration against the above features of offending, the hearing committee shall categorise the offence(s) as being at the lower end, mid range or top end of the scale of seriousness of offending and identify the applicable entry point where set out hereunder.

For offences categorised at the top end of the scale of seriousness of offending, the hearing committee is entitled to identify an entry point between the period shown as the top end hereunder and the maximum sanction. (The plus sign against each top end period of suspension denotes this entitlement to flexibility.)

3. Having identified the applicable entry point for consideration of a particular incident, the hearing committee shall identify all relevant aggravating factors and determine what additional period of suspension, if any, above the applicable entry point for the offence should apply to the case in question. Aggravating factors include the following:

(a) An absence or lack of remorse and/or contrition on the part of the offending Player;

(b) The Player?s status as a persistent offender of the laws of the game1;

(d) Any other off field aggravating factor that the hearing committee considers relevant and appropriate.

1 The Player’s disciplinary record in all competitions and (as appropriate) in other sports during his playing career from the age of 18 shall be considered by the hearing committee. In any case in which the hearing committee establishes that the player has previously been found by a hearing committee to have committed an act of Illegal and / or Foul Play and / or Misconduct, then the hearing committee in imposing any sanction on the player may in fixing that sanction take account of such offending as an aggravating factor.

4. (a) Thereafter, the hearing committee shall identify all relevant mitigating factors and determine if there are grounds for reducing the period of suspension, if any. Mitigating factors include the following:

(i) The presence and timing of an acknowledgement of culpability/guilt by the offending Player;

(ii) A good record and/or good character;

(iii) The age and experience of the Player;

(iv) The Player?s conduct prior to and at the hearing;

(v) Remorse for the Player?s actions and the victim Player;

(vi) Any other off field mitigating factor that the hearing committee consider relevant and appropriate.

(b) In cases involving offending that has been classified as lower end offending, where there are compelling on-field and/or off-field mitigating features and a complete absence of on-field and/or off-field aggravating features, hearing committees may apply sanctions less than the lower end sanctions specified hereunder and, in this respect only, the lower end sanctions set out hereunder are not minimum sanctions.

(c) In cases of multiple offending, hearing committees may impose sanctions to run either on a concurrent or on a consecutive basis provided that the total sanction is in all the circumstances proportionate to the level of the overall offending

5. The hearing committee shall in its written decision set out the reasoning for its findings, including the finding on culpability, how it has categorised the seriousness of the offence by reference to the standard features of offending set out in this Appendix how it applied aggravating and mitigating factors and conclude with the sanction, if any, imposed.

6. Whenever any period of suspension is imposed by the hearing committee the commencement of such suspensions may be deferred at the discretion of the hearing committee which imposed it based on this Appendix. Any suspension must be imposed until a stated date which should be fixed after taking into consideration all playing consequences of such suspension.

7. For cases involving Illegal and/or Foul Play, the hearing committee may not suspend the effect of any sanction to be imposed.

IRB RECOMMENDED SANCTIONS

IRB Recommended Sanctions For Offences Within The Playing

Enclosure (Regulation 17) Law No. Description Entry Point Based on Scale of Seriousness of the Players Conduct which Constitutes the Offending Lower End (LE), Mid Range (MR), Top End (TE) Maximum Sanction


	Senior	Junior 1	Junior 2 & Lower	Under 20

Match Duration	80 mins	80 mins	80 mins	80 mins
Injury time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Extra time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Lineout: Pre-grip	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lineout: Lifting	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Scrum: Pushing	Yes	Yes	1.5 metre	Yes
Scrum: placeCityWheeling & Reset	90 deg. Lose possession	90 deg. Lose possession	45 deg & reset	90 deg. Lose possession

Rucks & Maul

“Use or Lose”

Rucks - No

Mauls - Yes

Rucks - No

Mauls - Yes

Rucks - No

Mauls - Yes

Rucks - No

Mauls - Yes

Substitutes: Front Row Cover	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	Law 3.5
Substitutes: Blood	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Discipline: Yellow card	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Discipline: Red card	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

IRFU Game Variations: Women's Rugby

	Women's Adult Rugby		Age Grade placeRugby GIRLS		Mini placeRugby
	Div 1	Div 2	U17 to U19	U13 to U16	Stage 3	Stage 2	Stage 1

Match Duration	80 mins	80 mins	U18 & U19 -70mins U17 - 60 mins	60 mins	Max. 40 mins	Max. 30 mins	Max 30 mins
Injury time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Extra time	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No

Ball size

Lineout: Pre-grip	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Lineout: Lifting	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No

Scrum: Pushing	Yes	1.5m only	1.5m only	1.5m only (U13 & 14 uncontested)	1 Step - No push	1 Step - No Push	1 Step - No Push
Scrum: placeCityWheeling & reset	90 Degrees & Lose Possession	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	No Wheeling	NoWheeling	No Wheeling

Ruck & Maul

Use it or Lose it

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck -No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

Discipline: Yellow card	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Discipline: Red card	Yes	Yes	Yes	* See below fro U13	No - Compulsory Substitutions Only

Substitutes: Front row cover	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5 U19 Variations	See Law 3.5 U19 Variations	Yes - Roll on Roll off Substitutions
Substitutes: Blood	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes - Roll on Roll off Substitutions

* U13 - Player may be sent off - But compulsory substitutions to ensure the same numbers on the pitch at all times.

Discipline:

Incidents where players are ordered off (foul play) or been compulsary substituted (U13) must be reported to the Branch for diciplinary procedures (if required). Clubs are responsible at all times for the behaviour of their players/ coaches and spectators.

IRFU Game Variations: Age Grade placeRugby Clubs & Schools

	Age Grade Rugby Schools		Age Grade placeRugby Clubs		Mini placeRugby
	U16 to U19	U13 to U15	U17 to U19	U13 to U16	Stage 3	Stage 2	Stage 1

Match Duration	70 mins	60 mins	70 mins	60 mins	Max. 40 mins	Max. 30 mins	Max 30 mins
Injury time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Extra time	No	No	No	No	No	No	No

Ball size

Lineout: Pre-grip	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Lineout: Lifting	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No

Scrum: Pushing	1.5m only	1.5m only	1.5m only	1.5m only	1 Step - No push	1 Step - No Push	1 Step - No Push
Scrum: placeCityWheeling & reset	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	No Wheeling	No Wheeling	No placeCityWheeling

Ruck & Maul

Use or Lose

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

Discipline: Yellow card	Yes	NO	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Discipline: Red card	Yes	Yes	Yes	* See below for U13	No - Compulsory Substitutions Only

Substitutes: Front row cover	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	Yes - Roll on Roll off Substitutions
Substitutes: Blood	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes - Roll on Roll off Substitutions

* U13 - Player may be sent off - But compulsory substitutions to ensure the same numbers on the pitch at all times.

Discipline:

.............................................................................................................................

2009 Law Amendments Explained

090507 SG LA Explanatory Law Amendments 2009 Explained

3.4 30 Players Nominated as Substitutes

Ruling 6 2008 This means that that in domestic competitions the maximum number of substitutions is seven

subject to a new Law provision on page 34(Law 3.14)

3.13 (f)

(g) (h)

34 Number of Players – Uncontested scrums Ruling 2 2003 and Ruling 2 2008

Referees are now required to report occasions when they have to order uncontested scrums

and they MUST not start matches with contested scrums if there are not sufficiently

trained and experienced front row players available. In some instances competition rules

may prevent a match starting with uncontested scrums which means the game will not start.

3.14 34 Rolling Substitutions Union Specific ELV

A Union may introduce rolling substitutions atthe community/participation levels of the Game

providing they do not exceed 12 in a match.The rules and administration process is for the

Union to decide. An example used by the Scottish Rugby Union is attached as appendix

1 for information.

5.2 38 Half Time Union Specific

ELV

This provides the opportunity for Unions to extend the maximum time allowed for half time

to be extended to 15 minutes in their domestic matches. This allows for commercial activities

to occur in the professional Rugby environment. It does NOT apply to international matches.

Number

Page

Number

Law Topic Source Explanation

6B 1 –

6B 4

46 Assistant Referees Global ELV Assistant Referees are able to assist the

referee in any way that the referee requires.

10.4 (e) 61 Dangerous Tackling Ruling 6 2006 This clarifies the situation where a tackle starts

below the shoulders but ends up higher and this is deemed illegal.

10.4 (i) 61 Lifting and dropping a player

Ruling 5 2005 The spear tackle has now been described in Law as a result of a Ruling and is regarded as

foul play.

14 2 (d) 85 Player on ground not tackling an opponent

Ruling 1 2004 Players who are on the ground must not tackle a player and whilst it has been common

practice for such a player to be penalised it was not covered by Law.

15.4 (c) 87 The Tackler Ruling 13 2003, 3

2004, 8 2004

A tackler who by definition has gone to ground can, when on his/her feet play the ball from any

direction. This has been refereed this way and now it is clear in Law.

15.6 (c) 91 Players on their feet at the tackle

Ruling 13 2003, 3

2004, 8 2004

The player who puts a player on the ground and stays on his/her feet has to release that

player and can then only play the ball by coming from the direction of his own goal line,

behind the ball and the player on the ground nearest his goal line. Please see diagram in

appendix 2.

16.3 (f) 96 Rucking players Ruling 1 2005 Players must not use their feet in a rucking motion on players on the ground

17 99 Maul Definition Ruling 5 2008 The major change is the word “begins” in thedefinition because as the maul develops the maul may not comply with the definition especially if the opponents not in possession of the ball voluntarily leave the maul.

17.4 (f)

(g)

103 Players detaching from a maul Ruling 5 2008 The Law defines the offside lines if all of the

opponents of the ball carrying team voluntarily leave the maul and this is demonstrated in

appendix 3. It also provides for thoseopponents re-engaging with the maul from an

onside position.

19.1 (b) 110 No gain in ground – own 22 Global ELV If a team puts the ball back into its 22 and the

ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch, there is no gain in ground. There are diagrams

on page 111 of the Law Book that explains this Law.

19. 1 (c) 110 Player in 22 – stationaryball

Ruling 14 2003 This clarifies that if a player is in the 22 andpicks up a stationary ball that is outside the 22

he/she has taken that ball back into the 22.

19. 1 (d) 110 No gain in ground – own 22 Global ELV If a team puts the ball back into the 22 as they

are pushed in the scrum or tapped from a line out it is deemed to be put back into their

own 22 as shown in the diagrams on page 111 of the Law Book. There is no gain in ground if ball is

kicked directley into touch

19. 1 (e) 110 Gain in ground – Player in 22 ball in motion

Ruling 14 2003 This clarifies that if a player is in the 22 and picks up a ball that is outside the 22 but still in

motion he/she can kick directly into touch and the lineout will be where the ball went into

touch.

19 1 (f) 111 Gain in ground – own 22 Global ELV If after team puts the ball into their own 22

there is a tackle, ruck, maul or the ball touches an opposition player the ball can be kicked

directly into touch with the lineout being where the ball went into touch as shown on page 111

of the Law Book.

19 1 (g) 111 Gain in ground – ball into opposition 22

Global ELV If a team puts the ball into the opposition 22 without it being touched by the opposition the

opposition may kick the ball directly into touch and have the lineout where the ball went into

touch as shown on page 111 of the Law Book.

19.2 (e)

and (f)

115 Quick Throw in Global ELV At a quick throw the ball can be thrown straight

or towards the thrower’s goal line providing it crosses the five metre line and this is shown in

a diagram on page 115 of the Law Book

19.5 (a) and (b)

116 Player with foot in touch picking up ball

Ruling 1 2008 If a player has a foot in touch and picks up a stationary ball he/she has taken the ball into

touch. If a player with a foot in touch picks up a ball that is in motion the

19.8 (i) 119 Receiver position Global ELV

If a team has a receiver that player must standat least 2 metres from players of his/her own side in the lineout and must not go closer until the lineout begins which is when the ball is thrown. It will be very difficult for either receiver

to run into a gap. The receiver can change places with somebody in the lineout (Law 18 [k]) providing that the player in the receiver position is 2 metres away when the ball isthrown in. The position of the receiver is shown in a diagram on page 120 of the Law Book.

19.8 (j) 119 Opponent to thrower position

Global ELV There MUST be a player in opposition to the player throwing in at the lineout and that player

MUST stand 2 metres from the line of touch and the 5 metres line as shown in the diagram on page 120 of the Law Book.

19.8 (k) 119 Lineout players changing places

Ruling 9 2002, 12003, 4 2004. 7 2004

This confirms that players participating in the lineout can change places before the ball is

thrown and includes the receiver and the opponent of the player throwing in which was

confirmed in Ruling 7 2004.

19. 10

(f)

122 Lifting and supporting Global ELV Confirming current practice where support

players lift a player from the ground with their hands no lower than the thighs at the front and

no lower than the shorts from behind.

19.10 (g) 123 Pre-gripping Global ELV

This allows support players to pre grip players on their thighs and shorts prior to the ball being thrown in

20.12 (d)(e) and(g)

142 Scrum offside including scrum halfGlobal ELV

The offside line for non participants in the scrum is five metres back from the hindmost player in

their scrum. Both scrum halves must take up a position onthe same side of the scrum as the scrum half

throwing in the ball (the scrum half not throwingin the ball may be positioned behind the offside

line for the non participants and must stay there until the scrum is over).

After the ball has been won the scrum half of the team who has not won the ball who was

positioned next to the player throwing in the ball can do one of two things:

(i) Follow the ball whilst remaining on side

(ii) Go directly back to the hindmost foot in the scrum and then take up a position anywhere

behind this offside line. The scrum half of the side who won the ball in the scrum may also retire to the offside line for

that player and take up a position anywhere behind this offside line.

20.12 (h) 142 Offside line of scrum at goal line

Ruling 7 2005 This clarifies the situation where feet of playersin a scrum go on or over the goal line and

confirms that the goal line then becomes the off side line for the team

20.13 142 Under 19 scrum variations in adult Rugby Union specific ELV

Unions are able to introduce the Under 19 Scrum Law variations forcommunity/participation levels of the game.

22.9 (b) (c) (d) (e)

156 Defending player in in-goal– stationary ball and ball in motion

Ruling 1 2008 If a player is in in-goal a picks up a stationaryball that player has taken the ball into in-goal. If

the player in the same position picks up a ball that is in motion the ball is deemed to be in ingoal.

22.11 (a) (b) 22.12

157 Ball dead in goal –removing reference tocorner posts - Ball or player touching corner postGlobal ELV

The corner posts are no longer considered to be touch in-goal and if a player carrying the ball or the ball touches a corner post the game continues.

Foreword 3 Players ’responsibilities

The revised Foreword indicates the responsibilities of the players to prepare for the game in a manner which ensures that they comply with the Laws of the Game and practices

Example

Scottish Rugby Union Rolling Substitution Rules and Process

1. A maximum of 12 substitutions per team per match will be allowed [when

there are 5 or less players permitted on the bench and a maximum of 15

substitutions when there are 6 or 7 players permitted on the bench].

2. Substitutions under this Exception 3 shall include blood replacements and

injuries, indeed any time one player replaces another player from the

same team other than front-row replacements required after a yellow card

(see (viii) below).

3. When a player has a blood injury and is replaced by another player and then

returns to the field of play within the permitted time, that will count as 2

substitutions.

4. When a player is sent from the field of play under a red card, that is not a

substitution.

5. When a player is temporarily suspended under a yellow card and leaves the

field of play, that is not a substitution.

6. When a scrum is ordered during the temporary suspension of a front-row

player (Player A), and as a result a player (Player B) is required to leave the

field to allow another front-row player (Player C) to come on, that does NOT

count as a substitution. If, at the end of the period of temporary suspension,

Player A resumes and Player C leaves the field, that does NOT count as a

substitution. Player B returning to the field of play is also NOT a substitution.

If, however, the team opts to leave Player C on at the end of the temporary

suspension period instead of Player A returning, that IS a substitution.

7. After all 12 substitutions have been made, no other substitutions will be

allowed for whatever reason including injuries. If, after the 12 substitutions

have been made there is any reason for a player to leave the field of play, the

team must play on with one less player. Uncontested scrums will apply if this

involves a front-row player.

8. Any substitution of a front-row player must be on a positional like for like basis

in accordance with Law 3.5 unless any such player has already left the field of

play due to being so injured that it would be unwise for him to continue

playing.

9. Any substitute who takes the field of play immediately following the awarding

of a penalty kick to his team shall not be permitted to kick at goal until after

that penalty kick has been taken.

10. It shall be for the Union to determine who shall be responsible for

administering and counting the substitutions and how. An optional Procedural

Guideline follows.

11. Unless specified differently in this Exception 3, all of Law 3 shall apply to

2009 Law Amendments Explained 090507 SG LA Explanatory Page 10 of 12

Optional Procedural Guideline for the Administration and Control of Rolling

Substitutions at Matches:

A) Twelve sequentially numbered cards indicating Home 1 up to Home 12 and Away

1 to Away 12 will be provided electronically by the Union to all clubs in advance of

the first match in which rolling substitutions are permitted.

(B) Each club will then be responsible for providing its own supply of cards for each

match in which its teams compete.

require to hand the appropriate substitution card in the correct sequence to the 4th

Official/Home Touch Judge before each substitute takes to the field of play. There is

no requirement to record or write anything on the card. The correct sequentially

numbered card is simply handed over.

(D) The 4th official/home touch judge shall receive and retain the cards during the

match and shall monitor each team’s use of its substitutes, so advising the referee as

appropriate (e.g. when a team has used its last permitted substitution). He is not

required to record any information but shall retain the submitted cards until after the

end of the match. The cards shall not be returned to the appropriate team (or

discarded) until he has advised the referee of the final number of substitutes used by

each team and has established that the referee is satisfied that he may do so.

(E) At matches for which the referee is required to submit an official return or result

card/form, the referee shall record the final number of substitutes used by each team.

(F) At matches where there is no match doctor available, the referee remains

responsible for establishing if a player is leaving the field of play due to being so

injured that it would be unwise for him to continue playing.

(G) The teams will be aware of the number

Request for a Ruling from the Designated Members from the RFU

LAW 3.12 SUBSTITUED PLAYERS REJOINING THE MATCH

Early in a match Team A replace their Tight Head Prop, due to 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.

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 Request from the NZRU and ARU Law 15 and 16

Law 15 6 (b) states:

After a tackle any players on their feet may attempt to gain possession by taking the

ball from the ball carriers possession.

Law 16.1 (b) states:

How can a ruck form? Players are on their feet. At least one player must be in

physical contact with an opponent. The ball is on the ground.

Law 16.4 (b) states:

(b) Players must not handle the ball in a ruck.

When a player has complied with Law 15 6 (b), is on his feet and playing the ball after

a tackle and is then joined by an opposition player on his feet so that the situation

outlined in 16 1 (b) occurs, can the player who has complied with Law 15 6 (b) continue

to play the ball with his hands or at what point does he have to release the ball?

This does not appear to be covered by Law.

Ruling

Law 15 6 (a) states: After a tackle, all other players must be on their feet when they

play the ball. .......

Law 15.6 (b) reads: After a tackle any player on their feet may attempt to gain

possession by taking the ball from the ball carriers possession.

090511 SG IRB Ruling 4 2009 Page 2 of 2

Law 15 5 (e) states that: If opposition players who are on their feet, the tackled player

must release the ball.

This indicates that after a tackle a player on his feet may play the ball.

Law 16 1 (b) states:

How can a ruck form? Players are on their feet. At least one

player must be in physical contact with an opponent. The ball is on the ground.

Law 16.1 refers to a player from each side in physical contact over the ball and implies

that the ball is not in the possession of any player.

Providing a player from either side on their feet after a tackle comply with all aspects of

Law 15 and have the ball in their hands prior to contact with an opposition player on

his feet those players may continue with possession of the ball even if a player from

the opposition makes contact with those players in possession of the ball.

Any other players joining the two players contesting the ball must not handle the ball in

accordance with Law 16.4 (b). If the ball is not in possession of any player after a

tackle and a ruck is formed players may not use their hands in accordance with Law

16.4 (b).

The Ruling is effective from May 23 for the start of matches in the June window

and after the close of any domestic or cross border competitions

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 U19 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 U19 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

090807 SG IRB Ruling 6 2009.doc Page 2 of 2

replaced due to 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

Rugby Player Positions - What they really mean!

The Pack

Eight handsome burly guys whom you'll gladly give your beer and food to, and you'd want to marry your daughter. They are intelligent, elegant, sensitive, and sweet. Truly the ideal men.

The Backs

Seven guys who will steal your beer while you're not looking, take advantage of your women folk, barnyard animals, and all tubular household objects. Often dine on quiche, brie cheese and wine. Been known to understand the rule of the ESPN Extreme games' rules. Regularly take blow dryers on road trips, wear bikini underpants, and carry STDs (AVOID AT ALL COSTS).

Prop

Short but stout, these strapping men support the hooker, but no money ever changes hands and the act is never specificaly named.

Hooker

Often identified by a balding spot atop the head, these vertically challenged but talented men stand between the two props, and secures the ball for his team during scrummages.

Second Row

These tall powerful men are the driving engines not only the scrum, but of the entire game. They can be found working their magic from deep in the scrum, behind the front row, or lofting high above the line outs pulling balls from the air.

The Back Row

Usually the most handsome and intelligent, these three men of strength are often considered the renisance men of the rugby field. They not only control the ball, but the entire pitch. Remember, the back row defines the whole team's style of play.

Scrumhalf

The point guard of the rugby team the scrumhalf distributes the ball, runs hits, and kicks. Scrumhalf is only half as handsome and burly as the pack members

Flyhalf

The first of those back guys, and the first of the offensive chain. Often confused with an insect, may be referred to as the man with "the foot."

Centers

Another pair of those back guys. Either power runner, or annoying scampering guy usually found in the opposite order, but whose main purpose is to get the ball to ...

Wings

Ideally the fastest men on the team. Their job is to "score with the ball", but they often confuse it with "get tackled with the ball." Also an excellent snack when smothered in hot sauce and deep fried.

Fullback

The last line of defense. A back even the pack can appreciate, often viewed as a back row in the larval stage.