Law 3. Team
Permanent replacement
3.21. A player may be replaced if injured. An injured player may not return once replaced.
3.22. A player is deemed to be injured if:
- At national representative level, it is the opinion of a doctor that it would be inadvisable for the player to continue.
- In other matches, where a match organiser has given explicit permission, it is the opinion of a medically trained person that it would be inadvisable for the player to continue. If none is present, that player may be replaced if the referee agrees.
- The referee decides (with or without medical advice) that it would be inadvisable for the player to continue. The referee orders that player to leave the playing area.
3.23. The referee may also order an injured player to leave the playing area to be medically examined.
Permanent replacement - recognise and remove
3.24. If, at any point during a match, a player is concussed or has suspected concussion, that player must be immediately and permanently removed from the playing area. This process is known as “Recognise and Remove”.
Temporary replacement - blood injury
3.25. When a player has a blood injury, that player leaves the field of play and may be temporarily replaced. The injured player returns to play as soon as the bleeding has been controlled and/or covered. If the player is not available to return to the field of play within 15 minutes (actual time) of leaving the playing area, the replacement becomes permanent.
3.26. In international matches, the match-day doctor decides whether an injury is a blood injury necessitating a temporary replacement. In matches which have been approved in advance by World Rugby for use of the HIA process, the game cannot restart until the player with the blood injury has been temporarily replaced.
Temporary replacement - Head Injury Assessment (HIA)
3.27. In matches which have been approved in advance by World Rugby for use of the HIA process, a player who requires an HIA:
- Leaves the field of play; and
- Is temporarily replaced (even if all the replacements have been used). The game cannot restart until the player who requires an HIA has been temporarily replaced. If the player is not available to return to the field of play after 12 minutes (actual time) of leaving the playing area, the replacement becomes permanent.
Temporary replacements - all
3.28. A temporary replacement can be temporarily replaced (even if all replacements have been used).
3.29. If a temporary replacement is injured, that player may also be replaced.
3.30. If a temporary replacement is sent off, the originally replaced player is not permitted to return to the playing area, except to comply Law 3.19 or 3.20, and only if the player has been medically cleared to do so and does so within the required time of leaving the field of play.
3.31. If the temporary replacement is temporarily suspended, the replaced player is not permitted to return to the field of play until after the period of suspension, except to comply with Law 3.19 or 3.20, and only if the player has been medically cleared to do so and does so within the required time of leaving the field of play.
3.32. If the time allowed for a temporary replacement elapses during half-time, the replacement shall become permanent unless the replaced player returns to the field of play immediately at the start of the second half.
Tactical replacements joining the match
3.33. Tactically replaced players may return to play only when replacing:
- An injured front-row player.
- A player with a blood injury.
- A player with a head injury.
- 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.
Rolling replacements
3.34. A match organiser may implement rolling tactical replacements at defined levels of the game within its jurisdiction. The number of interchanges must not exceed 12. The administration and rules relating to rolling replacements are the responsibility of the match organiser.