Clarification 6-2005

Ruling in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

Request

The ARU has requested a ruling with regard Law 3-Number of Players

On August 15, 2005 the IRB sent out a Law Ruling in response to a request from the Australian Rugby Union in relation to two scenarios relating to Law 3 -Numbers of Players. The ARU seek further clarification in relation to the ruling for Scenario 2.

The ruling provided by the IRB indicates that player 6 may return to the field at the end of the temporary suspension of player 3, but does not clearly indicate when player 3 can return to the field.

Can it be clarified when this player can return to the field? Is this at the end of his period of temporary suspension or when the temporary suspension for player 17 ends? Scenario 2 appears below.

Scenario 2
A front row player (No. 3) is temporary suspended. At the next scrum player No. 6 leaves the field to allow a replacement front row player (No. 17) to take the field. Player No. 17 is temporarily suspended (during the period of temporary suspension for player No. 3). At the next scrum player No. 7 leaves the field to allow a replacement front row player (No. 18) to take the field.

When can players No. 3 and 6 return to the field; at the end of the temporary suspension for player No. 3 or must they remain off the field until the temporary suspension period for player No. 17 ends?

Is there any difference if the team does not have any further front row replacements (for No. 17)?

Ruling of the designated members of the Rugby Committee

Player No. 6 can return to the field of play at the end of the temporary suspension of player No. 3.
Player No. 17 cannot return to the field of play until his/her temporary suspension has ended.
The temporary suspensions of players 3 and 17 are not linked but are separate temporary suspensions.
If Player No. 3 is temporarily suspended and player No. 17 replaces him, and is temporarily suspended during