Law Clarifications

Clarification 1-2019

Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee

Clarification1-2019
Union / HP Ref ManagerHong Kong Rugby Football Union
Law Reference3
Date2019-05-24

Request

I am hoping you might be able to help us with a clarification regarding Law 3 as below – as a reminder, we are currently applying the Recognise & Remove (R&R) protocols for our Asia Rugby Championship and Global Rapid Rugby competitions.

  1. The match is using Recognise and Remove protocols;
  2. All replacements (8) have been used;
  3. A player is then suspected of concussion by the Team Doctor and is removed from play;

Therefore, can a replacement be made? - Noted that a player that has come off for an injury cannot go back on. And secondly and as an aside, is there a difference with respect to replacements between HIA and R&R as we do not see any reference in law to R&R?

Clarification of the designated members of the Rugby Committee

Currently Law 3.33 is clear on when tactically replaced players can return to play:

Tactically replaced players may return to play only when replacing:

  1. An injured front-row player.
  2. A player with a blood injury.
  3. A player undertaking an HIA.
  4. A player who has just been injured as a result of foul play (as verified by the match officials).
  5. The nominated player described in Law 3.19 or 3.20.

Recognize and Remove is referenced in the law book at Law 3.24

Under current law in the circumstances you outline the injured player cannot be replaced. Law 3.33c is explicit that this only refers to a player undertaking a HIA.

Addendum

World Rugby staff and the designated members have huge sympathy in this matter and despite concerns over tactical manipulation will request that Rugby Committee approve an immediate Player Welfare driven law change whereby Law 3.33c becomes:

c. A player undertaking an HIA with a head injury.

This subtle change will now mean that even in “Recognize & Remove” games player who sustains a head injury can now be replaced by a player who has been previously tactically substituted. This is consistent with our approach around player safety and it removes the possibility of a coach not removing the injured player for the fear of going down to 14 players.

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