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Player Insurance Info

Youth Rugby

. Junior scrummage laws. Uncontested scrums

Cancellation or Postponement of Fixtures

A league or Cup fixture cannot be postponed without the permission of the league Monitor ,Competition Committee Chairman or Secretary (listed on Page 1-50 Ulster Branch Fixture Book), unless through ground conditions.
If a Club has insufficient players to field a team and refuse to fulfil the fixture then points are awarded and deducted in accordance with Branch regulations. If the game was a cup match the offending club will receive a £100 fine for not fulfilling the fixture.
In past years clubs have mutually agreed to postponements. This practice is to cease. All fixtures are to be played as per Branch Book.
If a fixture is cancelled due to ground conditions then the fixture must be re-arranged within 14 days and the Branch advised of the new dates.
If a fixture is not arranged within the prescribed 14 days then the League Monitor will advise both clubs of the new date set by the Competition Management Committee.

New Scrum Laws

I.R.FU. Domestic Experimental Law Variation 2003/2004

SCRUM: Adult Club Rugby

The U/19 Scrum Law Variations will apply to the following levels of Adult Club Rugby:

All Ireland League Clubs 3rd team level & below

Qualifying League Clubs 2nd team level & below

All Club teams below Qualifying League level

WHY?

To make scrummaging more stable and safer. To maintain main principles of scrummaging. To encourage continuity of play.

WHAT?

Front rows coming together. Each prop must touch the opponent’s upper arm and then pause before the front rows meet. The sequence should be: Crouch, touch, pause, engage. No wheeling. A team must not intentionally wheel a scrum. Penalty: Penalty Kick. No Turnover. If a wheel reaches 45 degrees, the referee must stop play. If the wheel is unintentional, the referee orders another scrum at the place where the scrum is stopped. The same team throw the ball in. Maximum 1.5 metres push. A team in a scrum must not push the scrum more than 1.5 metres towards their opponents’ goal-line. Penalty: Free Kick. Ball must be released from the scrum: A player must not intentionally keep the ball in the scrum once the player’s team has heeled the ball and controls it at the base of the scrum. (The No. 8 is the only forward allowed to pick up the ball in the scrum). Penalty: Free Kick.

FORMATION & REPLACEMENT DETAIL

In an 8 person scrum the formation must be 3-4-1, with the single player (Normally the number 8) shoving on the 2 locks. The locks must pack with their heads on either side of the hooker.

Exception: A team must have fewer than eight players in its scrum when either the team cannot field a complete team, or a player is sent off for Foul Play, or a player leaves the field because of injury.

Even allowing for this exception, each team must always have at least five players in a scrum.

If a team is incomplete, the scrum formation must be as follows:

If a team is without one player, then both teams must use a 3-4 formation (i.e. no No.8).

If a team is without two players, then both teams must use a 3-2-1 formation (i.e. no flankers).

If a team is without three players, then both teams must use a 3-2 formation (i.e. only front rows and locks).

When a normal scrum takes place, the players in the three front row positions and the two lock positions must have been suitably trained for these positions. If a team cannot field such suitably trained players because: either they are not available, or a player in one of those five positions is injured or has been sent off for Foul Play and no suitably trained replacement is available, then the referee must order uncontested scrums.

In an uncontested scrum, the teams do not compete for the ball. The team putting in the ball must win it. Neither team is allowed to push the other team away from the mark.

ULSTER BRANCH UNCONTESTED SCRUM REGULATIONS

In any cup or league match in which there are no replacements available the following circumstances will apply.

1. If a front row player is injured and the injury necessitates him leaving the field, the scrums will be uncontested but the result of the match should stand.

(1) If a front row forward reports that he is unable to scrummage but wishes to remain on the field the match should continue as a friendly fixture but the team not responsible for causing the uncontested scrummages should be awarded the match.

(2) In all other cases were uncontested scrummages become necessary the decision as to the outcome of the match result shall be taken by the Competitions Management Committee having taken into consideration the referee's report.

In all cases where uncontested scrummages are declared, the referee must include within his match report a note of the time, the score and the circumstances which caused uncontested scrummages to be introduced.

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