Back to Refereeing HomepageLAW 4. PLAYERS' DRESS
(1) A player's dress consists of jersey, shorts and undergarments, socks and boots.
(2) In addition, and subject to
(3) below, a player may also wear:
(a) supports made of elasticated or compressible materials which must be washable;
(b) shin guards provided that no part of the guard exceeds 0.5 cms, and it is covered by non-rigid fabric and worn under a sock;
(c) ankle supports which may be of rigid material other than metal. Such support may only be used if:
it is worn under a sock does not extend higher than one third of the length of the shin
(d) mitts (fingerless gloves);
(e) shoulder pads made of soft and thin materials and which may be incorporated in an undergarment or the jersey provided that:
the pads shall cover the shoulder and collar bone only no part of the pads shall be thicker than 1 cm when uncompressed
no part of the pads shall have a density of more than 45 kg per cubic metre.
The measurement of thickness and density shall include any other material within which the pads are incorporated and/or secured to the shoulder.
(f) In the case of women only, chest pads made of soft and thin materials and which may be incorporated as part of a garment and provided that:
the pads shall cover the shoulder and/or collar bone and/or chest only;
no part of the pads shall be thicker than 1 cm when uncompressed;
and no part of the pads shall have a density of more than 45 kg per cubic metre.
The measurement of thickness and density shall include any other material within which the pads are incorporated and/or secured to the shoulder.
(g) mouth guard;
(h) headgear made of soft and thin materials and provided that:
no part of the headgear shall be thicker than 1 cm when uncompressed; and no part of the headgear shall have a density of more than 45 kg per cubic metre.
The measurements of thickness and density shall include any other material forming part of the headgear and/or means of securing.
(i) bandages and/or dressings to cover or protect any injury;
(j) thin tape or other similar material as support and/or to prevent any injury.
(3) The following are strictly prohibited:
(a) any item which is contaminated by blood;
(b) any item which is sharp or abrasive;
(c) any item containing buckles, clips, rings, hinges, zippers, screw, bolts or rigid material or projection not otherwise permitted under this Law;
(d) jewellery such as rings and earrings;
(e) gloves;
(f) shorts with padding sewn into them;
(g) any item, save where permitted by Law 4 (2) (e), (f) or (h) of which any
part is thicker than 0.5 cm when uncompressed or which has a density of
more than 45 kg per cubic metre;
(h) any item which, in the referee's opinion, and whether due to it not being an
item permitted by Law 4 or, where permitted, because of its condition, is
such as to be liable to cause injury to any player.
(4) Any boot worn by a player must conform to the following:
(a) studs most conform to British Standard BS6366 1983 or an equivalent standard;
(b) studs must be:
securely fastened to the sole of the boot
no longer than 18 mm, measured from the sole
a minimum diameter at the base of the stud of 13 mm
a minimum diameter at the top of the stud of 10 mm
where secured by an integral washer, that to have a minimum diameter of 20 mm
not worn as a single stud at the toe of the boot
moulded rubber multi-studded soles must have no sharp edges or ridges;
(5) As from 1st January 1999 an item not bearing the authorised mark of the IRB shall be presumed to be not in conformity with the requirements of this Law.
(6) In order to ensure conformity with this Law, a referee or a touch judge appointed in accordance with Law 6 (b) 6 must:
(a) not permit any player whose dress or additional items worn are not in
conformity with this Law, to commence the match; or
(b) ensure that if any player is found during any match to be wearing an item which does not conform to this Law then the player shall be ordered off the field-of-play under Law 26 (2) (a).
Notes: (i) Any player requiring or wishing to wear any dressing, protection, padding or support or such like material other than that specified within this Law should not be permitted to play in a match.
(ii) The referee must not permit any player to leave the playing area in order to change an item of dress unless these are bloodstained.
E-mail us