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RUGBY UNION

The Rugby Football Union Championships shall be conducted under the Laws of the International Rugby Board and the games played under the Laws of the Game Rugby Union. With regards to specific competition rules the interpretations that apply shall be those applicable to the senior national knockout cup for the knockout rounds and RFU Premier League competition for all leagues (men + women). Note specific women’s regulations below. Disciplinary issues shall be conducted under the specific Disciplinary Regulations below (RUU 14).

RUU 1 Competition Structure
There shall be a two-tiered Premier League for Men 1st XVs. This will consist of the best 28 teams split into four leagues – Premier North A, Premier North B, Premier South A and Premier South B. The remaining teams will compete in the Conference leagues. Women’s teams will compete in Premier Leagues and Conference leagues.

RUU 2 Premier League Requirements
RUU 2.1 Playing facilities should be of an appropriate quality for Premier League matches and should comply with national governing body regulations for matches of this standard. Pitches should, as a minimum, be roped off to a distance of 3 metres to prevent spectator encroachment.
RUU 2.2 Post protectors must be available and in place.
RUU 2.3 For each Premier League A Men’s Rugby Union match, either the RFU central appointments body or the local appointments body will appoint the referee and where possible touch judges. Total costs for these officials shall be covered by the home institution. The host institution is responsible for confirming that these appointments have been made and for contacting the officials concerned with match information. For other Premier League matches, host institutions must provide an appropriately qualified and neutral referee. The host institution is also responsible for the provision of 2 touch judges.
RUU 2.4 Glass Ceiling. A glass ceiling has been implemented between Premier A and Premier B to allow 2nd teams to progress to Premier B and no further. A glass ceiling is retained between Premier B and Tier 1 preventing 3rd teams and below from progressing to Premier B.

Competition Regulations
RUU 3 Officials
In the men’s and women’s Championship Knockout competition, from the quarter-finals onwards officials will be organised by BUCS (where possible).

RUU 4 Tie on Points in a League
In the event of a tie on points for the leadership of a league the procedure shall be as detailed in REG 9.9

RUU 5 Tie in Knockout Rounds or Quarter-Final Matches
If at the end of a match the teams are tying, a period of extra time of ten minutes each way with an interval of one minute shall be played. It the teams are still tying at the end of that period of extra time, then the team that has scored the most tries shall go forward to the next round. If this does not produce a result, the team that has scored most goals from tries shall go forward into the next round. If a result is still not forthcoming, the visiting team shall go forward into the next round. If, in the opinion of the referee, extra time cannot be played, then the above regulation shall be applied to the score standing at the end of normal playing time.

RUU 6 Tie in the Semi-Final Matches
RUU 6.1 If at the end of the match, the teams are tying, a period of extra time of ten minutes each way with one minute interval shall be played. If the teams are still tying at the end of that period of extra time, then the team that has scored most tries shall go forward into the final. If this does not produce a result, the team that has scored most goals from tries shall go forward into the final.
RUU 6.2 If this does not produce a result each team, as represented by the players on the pitch at the conclusion of the match, in an order to be decided by the Captain, and alternately with the opposing team, shall take penalty kicks from the centre point of one 22m line, to be decided by the referee. After five players from each team have completed the kicks the team who has scored one more goal than its opponents, shall go forward to the final. If the teams are still tying the captain will nominate a player one at a time until one team scores
and the other misses.

RUU 7 Tie in the Final
RUU 7.1 In the Final, if at the end of 40 minutes each way the scores are equal there shall be an immediate period of extra time of ten minutes each way with a one minute interval. If the scores remain equal then the winning team will be decided by application of:
RUU 7.1.1 Most tries scored.
RUU 7.1.2 Most goals from tries.
RUU 7.1.3 Finally if scores remain equal the Championship shall be shared.

RUU 8 Interval
In all matches the interval between halves shall be of five minutes duration. BUCS reserves the right to increase the duration in a Championship Final.

RUU 9 Replacements
RUU 9.1 In Men’s and Women’s 1st XV Premier Leagues and Tier 1 Leagues, a maximum of seven replacements per team may be in attendance and used. At least five of the nominated squad (irrespective of squad size, but maximum 22) must be able to play in front row positions.
RUU 9.2 In Men’s and Women’s leagues below Tier 1 level, a maximum of four replacements may be used. The number of suitably trained and experienced front row players of the nominated squad (maximum 19 players) must conform to the following IRB Regulations:

 

No. of Players	No of Suitably Trained & Experienced Players
15 or less 16, 17 or 18 19, (20, 21 or 22)	3 players who can play in the front row 4 players who can play in the front row 5 players who can play in the front row

When 19, 20, 21 or 22 players are nominated in a team there must be five players who can play in the front row to ensure that on the first occasion that a replacement hooker is required and, on the first occasion that a replacement prop forward is required, the team can continue to play safely with contested scrums.
RUU 9.3 All teams must provide a front row. Should a team be unable to provide the correct number of front row players, they must reduce their squad size to meet the IRB regulations (see table above).
Example: a team arriving with only 4 front row players will be entitled to have a maximum squad size of 18 players (including the 4 front row players) for the duration of the match. If the opposition have a full complement of front row players, they are entitled to the maximum squad size of 19 or 22 (dependent on the league regulations – see RUU 9.1 and RUU 9.2)
RUU 9.4 If the above requirements have been met and a front row cannot be replaced then the match shall continue with uncontested scrums. See reg RUU 11 for Women’s Rugby variation.
RUU 9.5 An uncontested scrum is defined as the same as for normal scrummages except that:
RUU 9.5.1 There is no contest for the ball.
RUU 9.5.2 The team putting the ball in must win it.
RUU 9.5.3 Neither team is permitted to push.
RUU 9.5.4 Normal rules regarding offside and binding still apply.
RUU 9.6 For ALL KNOCKOUT competitions i.e. Championship and Trophy, seven REPLACEMENTS PER TEAM may be in attendance and used. (At least five players must be able to play in front row positions - IRB law 3(5)(5)(B)). RUU 9.3 and RUU 9.4 still apply.
RUU 9.7 The front row players AND replacements must be identified to the Referee before each match.

RUU 10 Health and Safety
RUU 10.1 Rules regarding player’s protective clothing shall follow the rules as laid down by the respective home unions. This applies specifically to protective equipment and studs etc.
RUU 10.2 Treatment of blood injuries. All teams are expected to provide their own first aid kit, gloves, water spray bottles and sterile wipes for the treatment of blood injuries. First aid kits are recommended for every pitch. The use of bucket and sponges is discouraged. Current NGB and IRB guidelines for treatment of blood injuries are to be adhered to. The home side should ensure there is access to a telephone for emergencies.
RUU 10.3 No under wired bra’s are to be worn for contact rugby. This is in line with current NGB and IRB guidelines.

RUU 11 Women’s Rugby Variations
RUU 11.1 Premier League teams can opt to play their matches using IRB U19 scrummage regulations. This must be agreed in writing and signed by each team’s captain and match referee. No penalty will apply and the result will stand. There will be no option to submit a ‘playing under protest’ form. All matches below Premier League level (i.e. Tier 1 and below including Trophy knockout matches) will be played according to IRB U-19 scrummage regulations.
RUU 11.2 If a Premier League team is drawn against a team qualifying from Tier 1 in the Championship knockout cup, the match will be played according to IRB U19 scrummage regulations.
RUU 11.3 Players must meet the minimum age requirement set out by their home nation for playing senior rugby. These are:
England: Players must be 18 years of age to play university rugby.
Scotland: Players must be 17 years of age to play university rugby.
Wales: Players must be 17 years of age to play university rugby.
All 17 year old female players wishing to play rugby must get written permission from their NGB to participate in BUCS leagues/knockout cups; this is to guarantee all parties are insured. No player should train or play without this consent.
RUU 11.4 All Women’s Premier League matches will be played according to the full IRB laws of the game.
RUU 11.5 All Women’s matches below Premier League level (Tier 1 and below including Trophy knock out matches) will be played according to full IRB laws with exception to scrummage which will be played to IRB U19 scrummage regulations.
RUU 11.6 Uncontested scrums for Premier League, Tier One and Below: In the event of a team being unable to field a suitably trained front row at the start of a match resulting in uncontested scrums being played, the result shall stand.
RUU 11.7 Premier League teams that regularly play matches with uncontested scrums will be referred to the Competitions Manager for review and sanction as appropriate.
RUU 11.8 If a league or cup match is played with uncontested scrums the home team must inform the BUCS Sports Programme Manager for Rugby Union.

RUU 12 Women’s Rugby Player Matching
RUU 12.1 Tier 1 & below. All matches must be played with equal numbers on each team. This must be either 15, 14, 13, 12 – a – side.
RUU 12.2 For all matches played between 15 and 12-a-side the length of the match will remain at 80 minutes
RUU 12.3 The minimum number of players required per team is 10 players. Player matching will not be enforced below 12 players therefore matches can be played with 12v11, 12v10 or 11v10 players. (For matches played between 12 and 10-a-side, the duration of the match will be reduced to 60 minutes)
RUU 12.4 For all matches played between 12 and 10-a-side the length of the match will be reduced to 60 minutes.

RUU 13 Communication
RUU 13.1 In the event that teams require to use the player matching regulation or request either IRB U19 scrummage regulations or uncontested scrums, it will be the responsibility of the team who are using one of the women’s variations e.g. player matching or U19 uncontested scrummage to communicate their request to their opposition irrespective if they are the home or away team. Communication with the opposition must be in writing and received by the opposition 24 hours from the scheduled match start time. Both teams must also inform the referee before the start of the match.

RUU 14 Disciplinary Regulations
All matches are played under the auspices of the International Rugby Board. However the overarching jurisdiction for each game rests with the home Union in which the relevant match is played and Clubs should be aware of the different regulations in place for each of the home Unions.
RUU 14.1 Sendings off. A sending off report shall be initiated by the relevant match official in each case where a player is sent off (red card) and this should be forwarded to the home union point of contact who will in turn send it, if appropriate to the Union to which the Club is affiliated. It is for that Union to take action as appropriate.
RUU 14.2 Citings. All citings should be forwarded to the individual home Union in which the match was played and the timescales pertinent in that country are binding to those teams playing. The citing should contain:
• Details of teams participating.
• Location and date.
• Name of player(s).
• Details of allegation and which law contravened.
• Witness statements, match footage, injury photographs and medical
report and prognosis if applicable.

The contacts and citing timelines at the respective unions can be found in the seasons
information document on the BUCS website.

RUU 15 Deliberate Regulation Manipulation
If there is evidence that institutions are abusing the system and using the regulations outside of the spirit of the game to gain an unfair advantage, they can be reported to the BUCS disciplinary panel.

RUU 16 Representative Commitments
When three or more players are selected for a National Governing Body senior side (Full, A, U21, Students, Universities or Women’s Elite, Academy or U20’s), the institution concerned shall be able to postpone the fixture to an agreed date within the qualifying period. For league fixtures the qualifying period ceases on the published cut off date. For knockout fixtures the qualifying period is such that the following round will take place on the published date. This ruling shall not apply to any of the finals.

RUU 17 Men’s and Women’s 7-a-Side Championships
Men’s and Women’s Seven-a-Side Championships will be held annually at a venue to be decided by the BUCS Office. The tournament shall be run in accordance with rules set out in the IRB Handbook and sent out prior to the competition.

Last updated: 13th Aug 2010 16:46

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