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99 results returned for match officials
Shape of the Game: Reinforcement of current law - March 2024
s, coaches and match officials. In addition to this guideline, further work on the laws of the gam ... l towards the back of a ruck, the definition of “played” has been met. Subsequently, match official ... e for the ball. In line with the definition, during the “Crouch” and “Bind” phase, match official
2025-01 - Global Law Trials
s with examples for players, coaches, match officials. ... 1 January 2025. From that date, they will be reflected in World Rugby's digital laws content. &nbs
9 Foul play
g area. Sanction: Penalty. c. Do anything that may lead the match officials to conside ... r will take no further part in the match. A player sent off may not be replaced. Elite Rugby onl
2024-07 Law changes
n For a presentation on the new laws with examples for players, coaches, match officials, click here ... y 2024. From that date, they will be reflected in World Rugby's digital law content. Offsid
XRugby
e replacements. A team may replace any number of players during a match at any time. Players entering the fiel
Maul - June 2026
d in open play, the philosophy that a maul is a contest for possession should drive match officia
5 Time
GAME-ON 5.3 [Replacement] 5.3 In non-international matches, the match organiser may decide to reduce the length of a match. If the match organiser does not decide, the teams agree on the length of a match. If they cannot agree, the referee decides. Replaced by: 5.3 Games should last a minimum of 40 minutes, but can be split into equal halves, quarters or thirds.
5 Time
Under-19 5.1 [Replacement] 5.1 A match lasts no longer than 80 minutes (split into two halves, each of not more than 40 minutes plus time lost), unless the match organiser has authorised the playing of extra-time in a drawn match within a knock-out competition. Replaced by: 5.1 A match lasts 70 minutes (split into two halves, each of not more than 35 minutes) plus time lost. No extra-tim
18 Touch, quick throw and lineout
GAME-ON Addition: Match organisers may determine that teams should not lift and/or contest in the lineout
Red card
The card is shown to a player to indicate that the player has been permanently excluded from the match
5 Time
s as decided by the match organiser. During this time, the teams and match officials may leave the playin ... 10s 5.1 [Replacement] 5.1 A match lasts no longer than 80 minutes (split into two halves, each of not more than 40 minutes plus time lost), unless the match organiser has authorised the playing of extra-time in a drawn match within a knock-out competition. Replaced by: 5.1 A match lasts 2
5 Time
s as decided by the match organiser. During this time, the teams and match officials may leav ... Sevens 5.1 [Replacement] 5.1 A match lasts no longer than 80 minutes (split into two halves, each of not more than 40 minutes plus time lost), unless the match organiser has authorised the playing of extra-time in a drawn match within a knock-out competition. Replaced by: 5.1 A match lasts 1
3 Team
GAME-ON 3.2 [Replacement] 3.2 A match organiser may authorise matches to be played with fewer than 15 players in each team. Replaced by: 3.2 A match organiser may authorise matches to be playe ... t row or if the referee so orders. Replaced by: 3.13 Even from the start of the match, in the even ... t be uncontested 3.14 [Replacement] 3.14 A match organiser may stipulate the conditions under whic
Clarification 2-2003
r to the commencement of the match for ensuring teams comply with Law 3.5? (2) What is the sanction if they do not comply? (3) During the match, if a team fails to comply with Law 3.5, what is the sanction? Rulin ... e to ensure that prior to a match they can comply with Law 3.5. (2) It is the responsibility of the team and team management to ensure that a team is able to comply with Law 3.5 prior to the matc
14 Tackle
GAME-ONAddition: If match organisers utilise the game-on global waist height tackle variation, it is recommended that they also ensure that ball-carriers do not drop their body height and that double-tackles are sanctioned
19 Scrum
GAME-ONAddition: 19.40 Match organisers can reduce the numbers in a contested scrum (subject to law 19.6), apply the under-19 variation of 1.5m maximum push, or implement uncontested scrums
Clarification 4-2015
P Ref ManagerUARLaw Reference6Date2015-04-15Request The UAR seeks clarification on Law 6 – Match Officials. Following the controversy after a match in the Argentine National Clubs Championships 1s ... d of the match and then deciding to continue it, we would like a clarification in Law. Scenari ... s again to indicate clearly the end of the match with the score 18-19. The assistant referee immediatel
Clarification 2-2008
s of Law 3.5 (a) or (c), either at the beginning of the match or during a match (thus causing non-conteste ... g or replacing ANY player who leaves the field (through injury) or from making substitutions during the matc ... 5 causes the stoppage in play? c) Can the match commence with non-contested scrums or should the team ... s to play in the front row (either at the start of a match or during a match). ARU is also strongl
Clarification 5-2009
d, the referee orders uncontested scrums. At this stage, Team A seek permission from the match official ... k to 15. The match officials refuse to allow the player to rejoin the match, which conclude ... f ManagerRFULaw Reference3Date2009-08-10Request Senario Early in a match Team A replace their Tight Head Prop, due to injury, with their nominated prop forward replacement. Late in the matc
Clarification 2-2012
n for the following: Law 3.11(b) A player who leaves a match because of injury or any other reason must not rejoin the match until the referee permits the player to return. The referee must not let a player retur ... s of the Rugby Committee Law 3.11(b) states that “A player who leaves a match because of injury or any other reason must not rejoin the match until the referee permits the player to return. The refere
Clarification 3-2009
g it up, there is the siren indicating the end of the match (real playing time). 3. The refere ... e to blow for the end of the match? For an “identical” situation for a lineout in the facts chronolog ... 2. After the lineout has been formed, there is the siren indicating the end of the match (real playin ... w for the end of the match? Ruling of the designated members of the Rugby Committee Situation 1 Despit
Clarification 2-2004
s only amongst those players on the bench at the beginning of the match or can those front row replacements come also only from the players starting the match as opposed to bench replacements? In cas ... d and experienced front row replacements even coming only from the players who started the match. E.g. 4 players among those who start the match if the list includes 16, 17 or 18 players. 2. A playe
3 Team
r matches, the match organiser decides how many replacements may be nominated, up to a maximum of eight. Replaced by: 3.5 Match organisers may vary the number of replacements a team may nominat ... y with the permission of the referee. Replaced by: 3.6 A team may replace any number of players during a matc
Clarification 1-2015
v Wales game regarding the decision by the referee to blow the whistle for the end of the match, w ... d of the match, when the clock shows 80 (i.e. 40 minutes)? There are a set of Law variations for Seven ... e the kick with time remaining, a restart will occur and the match will end at the next stoppage withi ... y Committee Scenario 1 A team scoring a try near the end of the match may take the conversion kic
Clarification 1-2016
g controversy after the Wales v England match at the Paris Sevens Paddy O’Brien has requested clarificatio ... d in accordance with Law 20.4 (g) and therefore the match would continue and end at the next stoppage of play in accordance with Law 5.7(e). Situation 2 The referee ends the match as there has been an offence that ensures that the ball is dead after the lineout has been completed and therefore the matc
3 Team
5 For other matches, the match organiser decides how many replacements may be nominated, up to a maximum of eight. Replaced by: 3.5 The match organiser decides how many replacements may be nominate
8 Scoring
k is disallowed. Replaced by: a. If stipulated by the match organiser, takes the kick in fron
9 Foul play
n if the tackle starts below the waist line. Waist can be replaced with “nipple line” so effectively matc
Clarification 2-2026
t for possession. ;Match officials must apply the laws in the context of the Charter as well. &nbs ... s, there is no material offence caused and so match officials are ensuring match continuity. We would remind match officials that this should only be applied when the contest is clearly ove
Clarification 8-2015
Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby CommitteeClarification8-2015Union / HP Ref ManagerPaddy O'BrienLaw Reference3Date2015-12-08Request Paddy O’Brien has requested clarification on the minimum number of players needed to start a sevens match. Clarification of the designated members of the Rugby Committee The designated members have agreed that in exceptional circumstance
Clarification 2-2010
d of a match: The request for a Ruling arises from the ending of two recent international matche ... n that it is to be the “last play” of the match. If the ball is kicked directly out on the full from the restar ... 9 respectively and the match continues until the ball next becomes dead.
Clarification 2-2023
t then asking match officials to differentiate between a stabilising action and a propelling actio ... g a height advantage. Safety: Any attempt by the defender to match the ball carrier’s height will likel ... r, recognising that they are making these decisions in live match speed without the benefit of slow motio
Clarification 1-2009
m the touch or scrum as a means of restarting the match? Ruling of the designated member
Clarification 3-2012
y when 23 players are nominated for a match. Law 3.14(d) states "A provision may be introduce
Clarification 1-2017
Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby CommitteeClarification1-2017Union / HP Ref ManagerAlain RollandLaw Reference19Date2017-06-01Request Alain Rolland, World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Official Manager seeks clarification on the interpretation of Law 19 especially in relation to: Bringing the 22m line in line with the clarification (clarification 5 from 201
Clarification 2-2025
s their teammate at the kick-off/restart. However, if match officials believe this is done deliberately, then La ... Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee Clarification 2-2025 Union / HP Ref Manager FIR (Federazione Italiana Rugby) Law Reference 12 & 9 Date 17 July 2025 Request We are writing in reference to the very first action of the South Africa v Italy matc
Clarification 4-2018
n of this clarification will require Match Officials and medical teams to be in close communication. Usuall ... s of the Rugby CommitteeThe ruling of the designated members is that as soon as a Team or Match Day D
Clarification 1-2019
n injured as a result of foul play (as verified by the match officials). The nominated player describe ... y competitions. The match is using Recognise and Remove protocols; All replacements (8) have bee
Clarification 3-2006
y scenario. Does the referee have to start the match with uncontested scrums? Ruling of the designate ... s not apply to locks in senior or U19 law. 2. The referee does not have to start the matc
Clarification 1-2011
w replacements.” This request arises from the England v France match earlier this year. Hendre Fouri ... d earlier in the game. The view of our Laws Sub-committee is that, even though the match was to continu