Threeinnovative law variations have been approved by World Rugby for use in theGuinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup – Red Card Replacements, Captain’s Challenge andGoal-line drop-outs.

Thelaw trials were proposed by the PRO14’s Sports & Regulatory Committee and willbe implemented from next weekend when the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup kicks offpresenting teams with new dynamics that allow for positive play and enhanceddecision-making outcomes.

Theselaw variations are already in use across Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super RugbyAU and their use has been encouraged by World Rugby to improve the game.

Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby, said: “We applaud PRO14 Rugby and the respective clubs for their enthusiasm to trial a number of law variations in the Rainbow Cup. The addition of another top competition to the World Rugby law trials programme will provide invaluable data and feedback to determine future advances to game spectacle and player welfare.”

David Jordan, Tournament Director of PRO14 Rugby, said: “Our Sports & Regulatory Committee have been very proactive in identifying opportunities to introduce game innovations and we’re looking forward to implementing these trials during the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup. We know these laws also have their origins from the Player Welfare Symposiums and our belief is that we will see a positive impact on the game overall.”

LAW VARIATION TRIALS EXPLAINED

Replacementfor Red Card player after 20 minutes

Forred cards the offending player will be removed from the field for 20 minutes.After this time the team can replace this player with one of their nominatedsubstitutes. The player who is given the red card will not be able to return tothe pitch.

Justlike the awarding of a yellow card, the 20 minutes will be measured in ‘gametime’ meaning that the clock will not run during stoppages in play. The RedCard Replacement law will also apply to players who receive two yellow cards(which results in an automatic red).

Playerswho have been substituted for tactical reasons may be used to replace a playerwho has received a red card. The usual replacement laws continue to apply inthat a replaced player may return for an injured front rower, injury due tofoul play, HIA or blood.

Captain’sChallenge     

TheCaptain’s Challenge is aimed at enhancing the accuracy of decisions alreadyunder the remit of the match officials. Each team is allowed one captain’schallenge in the match. These can be used for try-scoring and foul playincidents, or to challenge any refereeing decision in the last five minutes ofa match.

Thechallenge will be referred to the TMO who will review the footage with thematch referee making the final decision. If a challenge is successful, then theteam keeps their challenge but if it is unsuccessful then the team loses thechallenge. Challenges can only be made up to 20 seconds after thereferee has blown his whistle for a stoppage in play and only incidents fromthe last passage of play can be challenged.

Priorto the 75-minute mark, the Captain’s Challenge can only be used to check for aninfringement in the lead up to a try or to review foul play. The Captain’s Challengewill be applied more broadly from the 75-minute mark in any match at whichpoint the captain, provided they have not already lost their Challenge,can use it to check any whistled decision regardless of whether a try has beenscored. Injury time is included in the post 75-minute period.

• TMOs will be able to go back to the last stoppage in play, regardless of how many phases have been played
• Foul play challenges can be made after any stoppage in play if the captain believes foul play has been missed by the match officials
• Captains must reference ‘specific’ incidents or infringements
• Footage must be ‘clear and obvious’ for a challenge to be upheld
• Captains cannot refer a scrum or lineout penalty, where the referee’s decision will be final

For the avoidance of doubt, there is no extra challenge available after 75 minutes. Teams receive one challenge per match and will only retain it if they are successful in a previous challenge.

What cannot be challenged

• A restart in play has happened including a quick tap or quick throw in has been taken, so the team has chosen to play quickly
• Non-decisions - where a referee does not blow their whistle for a decision and play continues (unless there is foul play)
• Set-piece decisions cannot be challenged because they are technical decisions that could provide multiple outcomes based on the interpretations of players and referees

Goal-line drop-out

For held-up over the line, knock-ons that occur in goal or when the ball is grounded by a defending player in the in-goal area after a kick through, the defending team will take a drop-out from anywhere on the goal line.

The drop-out must be taken on or behind the defending team’s goal line and it must occur without delay. The ball must cut across the goal line and travel 5 metres. If this does not occur a sanction will apply and the non-kicking team may request the kick to be retaken or receive a 5m scrum in line with where the kick was taken.

For the avoidance of doubt, a missed penalty kick at goal or a missed drop-goal attempt will still result in a 22m drop-out for the defending team.