Clarification 2-2003

Ruling in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

Clarification2-2003
Union / HP Ref ManagerSRU
Law Reference3
Date2003-06-07

Request

SRU has requested a ruling with regard to Law 3.5-Suitably Trained and Experienced Players in the Front Row:

(1) Who is responsible prior to the commencement of the match for ensuring teams comply with Law 3.5?

(2) What is the sanction if they do not comply?

(3) During the match, if a team fails to comply with Law 3.5, what is the sanction?

Ruling of the designated members of the Rugby Committee

(1) Teams and team management are responsible to ensure that prior to a match they can comply with Law 3.5.

(2) It is the responsibility of the team and team management to ensure that a team is able to comply with Law 3.5 prior to the match. It is the responsibility of the Union to authorise any sanctions with regard to non-compliance prior to the match.

(3) If a team is unable to comply with Law 3.5, then the referee will order uncontested scrums. There are no sanctions during the match. A Union may apply sanctions in accordance with its competition policy after the match has ended.