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Posted September 17th, 2009

 

USA RUGBY

National Union Variation for iRB Law 3 - September 14th, 2009

The following competition regulation applies for any match that leads in any way to a USA Rugby National Championship:

 

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All matches shall be governed by iRB Law 3 with respect to Substitutions and Front Row replacements.  In particular, Law 3.14 “Union Specific Variations” will apply to Front Row replacements.

 

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Failure to have three Trained and Experienced Front Row Players at the start of a match will result in a forfeit.

 

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Clubs/Teams shall submit a Match Roster nominating a maximum of 23 players, i.e., 15 starting players and a maximum of eight reserves.

 

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The table below indicates the required numbers of suitably Trained and Experienced Front Row Players for different the number of Players on a Match Roster:

Number of Players on the

ROSTER

Required number of suitably

Trained and Experienced Front Row Players

15

3

16, 17, or 18

4

19, 20, or 21

5

22 or 23

6

 

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Should a Club/Team lose all of their available Front Row Players, then uncontested scrums will take place but the Club/Team opting out of the set-piece will not be able to replace the injured player - forcing them to continue with only fourteen players. (Note:  This is a change to the existing Laws and ensures that a Club/Team going to uncontested scrums does not gain an advantage.)

Excerpt from changes to iRB Law 3 effective May 23rd, 2009

 

3.14 UNION SPECIFIC VARIATIONS

 

 

(a) A Union having jurisdiction  (or where a match or competition is played between Clubs/Teams from two or more Unions those Unions by agreement between them) may implement variations to Law 3.14 for  matches below International Level as set out in

3(b) and/or 3(c) below.

 

 

(b) When 22 or 23 players are nominated in a Club/Team there must be sufficient Front Row Players to play at hooker, tight-head prop, and loose-head prop who are suitably Trained and Experienced to ensure that on the first occasion that a replacement in any Front Row position is required, the Club/Team can continue to play safely with contested scrums.

 

 

(c) A provision may be introduced that where uncontested scrums are ordered as result of there being NO suitably Trained and Experienced Front Row replacement for any reason, the Club/Team concerned play with not more than 14 players.