1 The ground
1.1 The playing surface must be safe.
1.2 The permitted surface types are grass, sand, clay, snow or artificial turf (conforming to World Rugby Regulation 22).
1.3 The dimensions of the playing area are shown in the ground diagram.
The ground
| Dimensions | Field of play length | In-goal length | Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum (metres) | 100 | 22 | 70 |
| Minimum (metres) | 94 | 6 | 68 |
a. The playing area is rectangular in shape.
b. Any variations to these dimensions must be approved by the relevant union for domestic competitions or World Rugby for international matches.
c. Where the length of the field of play is less than 100 metres, the distance between the 10-metre lines and 22-metre lines is reduced accordingly.
d. Where the width of the playing area is less than 70 metres, the distance between the 15-metre lines is reduced accordingly.
e. The perimeter area should not be less than five metres wide where practicable.
Lines
1.4 There are solid lines configured as shown in the ground diagram. The solid lines are on:
a. The dead-ball lines and touch-in-goal lines.
b. The goal lines.
c. The 22-metre lines.
d. The half-way line.
e. The touchlines.
1.5 There are dash lines configured as shown in the ground diagram. Each dash within a dash line is five metres in length. There are dash lines:
a. Five metres from, and parallel to each touchline.
b. 15 metres from, and parallel to, each touchline.
c. 10 metres from, and parallel to, each side of the half-way line.
d. Five metres from, and parallel to, each goal line.
1.6 There is one line 0.5 metres long that intersects the centre of the half-way line.
Goal posts and crossbar
1.7 When padding is attached to the goal posts the distance from the goal line to the external edge of the padding must not exceed 0.3 metres.
Goal posts
Flag posts
1.8 There are 14 flag posts with flags, each with a minimum height of 1.2 metres.
1.9 One flag post is positioned at each intersection of the touch-in-goal lines and the goal lines and one at each intersection of the touch-in-goal lines and the dead-ball lines (eight flag posts in total).
1.10 One flag post is positioned in line with the 22-metre line and the half-way line on each side of the pitch, two metres outside the touchlines and within the playing enclosure (six flag posts in total).
Objections to the ground
1.11 Teams must inform the referee of any objections before the match starts.
1.12 The referee will attempt to resolve the issues and will not start a match if any part of the ground is considered to be unsafe.