Clarification 6-2015

Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

Clarification6-2015
Union / HP Ref ManagerWRU
Law Reference3
Date2015-09-01

Request

The WRU seeks further clarification regarding the below scenario:

Scenario 1
No. 3 is injured and replaced by No. 18 (the declared TH cover). If No. 18 gets then gets temporarily replaced for Blood (Law 3.10) or HIA (Law 3.11) the team can continue with 15 players but scrums become uncontested until No.18 returns. If No.18 does not return then the team goes to 14 players and uncontested scrums. (Law 3.5 h, m and t)

Clarification is required that if in the above scenario No. 18 does not return to the field of play and the side has to reduce to 14 players, which player leaves the field.

a) Is it the original player that replaced No.18 for uncontested scrums, or

b) Can the captain / coach elect any player to leave the field of play to reduce his team to 14 players?

Clarification of the designated members of the Rugby Committee

The Designated Members of the Rugby Committee have considered the request and it is the original player who replaced No. 18 for uncontested scrums who leaves the field of play.