Law and Application
Advice on the application of Law in certain scenarios are highlighted below.
Application scenarios (subject to approved local variation)
Players:
If a team is discovered to have too many players on the pitch, then at the time that the error is identified the team is returned to the correct number and the score remains unaltered and a penalty is awarded to the non-offending team (Law 3.03).
Replacements:
Tactically replaced players may only re-join the match when replacing (Law 3.33):
- An injured front row player
- A player with a blood injury
- A player with a head injury (HIA or confirmed concussion)
- A player who has just been injured as a result of foul-play (as verified by the Match Officials)
- The nominated player described in Law 3.19 or 3.20 (temporary and permanent front row suspension).
- A teammate who has received a qualifying red card, after 20 minutes playing time has elapsed. (Elite rugby only)
If all of their qualifying replacements have been made, teams may choose to remove a player tactically and play with fewer players. In this case the removed player is eligible to return to the field if required.
When can a replacement be made?
The table below indicates when a replacement can be made:
Event | Replacement or Yellow Card/HIA/Blood return.. | |
..can take place | ..should wait | |
| Scrum | Before the Scrum is ready to be formed | During a reset |
| Lineout | If not being taken quickly | Quick Lineout option is still available |
| 22m Drop-out | While underway | |
| Try Line Drop-out | ||
| After a try is scored | At any time before the restart | |
| Match Clock is stopped | At any time before the clock restarts | |
| A penalty has been given | A FK or PK does not in itself mean the ball is dead. The team awarded a penalty can decide to play quickly. If they do, then no replacement/return is allowed. If they don’t, a replacement/return can be made by either team, with permission of the referee. | |