Back to Refereeing HomepageLAW 3. THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND THE REPLACEMENT OF PLAYERS
Number of Players in a Team
(1) A Team shall comprise:
(a) no more than fifteen players on the playing area
(b) a number of players for replacement / substitution as authorised by the Laws of the Game.
(2) When a Union authorises matches to be played with fewer than fifteen players per team, the Laws of the Game shall apply except that there will be no fewer than three players per team in the scrummage at all times.
Note:- (i) Seven-a-Side games are covered by the standard set of variations adopted for this type of game.
(3) Any objection by either team as regards the number of players in a team may be made to the referee at any time but objections shall not affect any score previously obtained.
Nomination of players for replacement / substitution.
(4) For International matches a Union may nominate up to seven replacements/substitutes.
For other matches the number of replacements / substitutes is the responsibility of the Union having jurisdiction over the match provided they otherwise comply with the Laws of the Game.
Nominated players and replacements / substitutes of a team.
(5) A team must include suitably trained / experienced players as follows:
(a) if a team nominates 16, 17 or 18 players it must have at least four players who can play in front row positions;
(b) if a team nominates 19, 20, 21 or 22 players, it must have at least five players who can play in front row positions.
UNDER 19 VARIATION: Add a new Section 13
5 (c) if a team nominates 22 players, it must have at least six players who can play in the front row and there must be replacement cover for the loose head prop, hooker and tight head prop;
(d) if a team nominates more than 22 players it must have six players who can play in the front row in order that there is replacement cover for the loose head prop, hooker and tight head prop and there must be three players who can play in lock positions.
Injured Player and his Replacement
(6) An injured player should stop playing and be replaced as follows:
(a) On the account of a bleeding or open wound the player must leave the playing area until such time as the bleeding is controlled and the wound is covered or dressed; the replacement of the player is temporary but, if he is unable to resume playing, the replacement becomes permanent.
(b) On the account of any other type of injury; if the referee is advised by a doctor or other medically trained person or for any other reason considers that a player is so injured that it would be harmful for him to continue playing, the referee shall require the player to leave the playing area. For this purpose the referee may also require a player to leave the field to be examined medically.
(7) An injured player who has been permanently replaced must NOT resume playing.
(8) The replacement of an injured player may be made on the following advice:
(a) in matches in which a national representative team is playing, by a medical practitioner only.
(b) in other matches, by a medically trained person, or if a medically trained person is not present, by a request from the team's captain to the referee.
Substituted Players
(9) The replacement of an injured player shall be made only when the ball is dead and with the permission of the referee. The referee should not permit a player to resume until the ball is dead.
(10) Up to two substitutes of front row players and up to five substitutes of the other players may be made for any reason only when the ball is dead and with the permission of the referee.
(11) Players who have been substituted may not re-enter the match even to replace an injured player except in the case of a player having a bleeding or open wound. or for an injured front row player if no other suitably trained replacement is available.
Special Circumstances
(12) In the event of a front row forward being ordered off, the referee, in the interests of safety, will confer with the captain of his team to determine whether another player is suitably trained / experienced to take his position; if not the captain shall nominate one other forward to leave the playing area and the referee will permit a substitute front row forward to replace him. This may take place immediately or after another player has been tried in the position.
When there is no other front row forward available due to a sequence of players ordered off or injured of both, then the game will continue with non-contestable scrummages which are the same as normal scrummages except that:
* there is no contest for the ball
* the team putting in the ball must win it
* neither team is permitted to push
* the formation of both teams must be 3-4-1
* if one team is one player short, then its scrummage must be in a 3-4 formation
* if one team is two players short, then its scrummage must be in a 3-2-1 formation
* if one team is three players short, then its scrummage must be in a 3-2 formation.
(13) Players who have been substituted may replace an injured player.
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