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Latest IRB Directives on Sealing Off - Please read very carefully. We need to apply this directive evenly across all levels.

  International Rugby Board (iRB) Directives 2008

You may be aware that the iRB have this summer issued a directive stating that “match officials at all levels of the Game must referee the Tackle (Law 15) and the Ruck (Law 16) in accordance with the written Laws”.  The iRB correspondence further states that “it has become evident that players are going to ground over or on ball carriers which has become known as sealing off. On some occasions they remain in that position and fail to move away contravening Law. Furthermore players are going to ground or on top of players after a tackle thereby ensuring that the opposition cannot contest possession. Such actions are in breech of Laws 15.6 (g), 15.7 (c) and 15.7 (d).   Referees are requested to be more vigilant in this area of the Game and to ensure that both teams are treated equally at the breakdown.”

  Referee Department Guidance

1.                   Please remember that the iRB are simply asking officials to referee the EXISTING Law.  There have been no new Laws introduced in this area of the Game

2.                   The tackler MUST remain the referee’s first priority i.e. he/she must immediately release the tackled player and get up or move away from the tackled player

3.                   Referees must remain vigilant that both attacking and defending players remain on their feet after a tackle has occurred and do not VOLUNTARILY go to ground

4.                   If arriving players go to ground , due to their momentum , beyond the ball, and the ball is immediately available, then play should be allowed to continue

5.                   If arriving players go to ground due to their momentum but NOT beyond the ball, then they must be proactive in making the ball available

6.                   If a player “latches onto” the ball carrier and both players fall to ground, then they must be proactive in making the ball available

Please note that an iRB DVD, which highlights the illegal actions of players in this area, will be sent to Society Secretaries from Twickenham in the next 24 hours .

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Referee Development team .

Regards

The Continuum Regulations are part of RFU Regulations for 2008-9 which will be published later this month on rfu.com.

Concern has been expressed as to the impact the iRB Experimental Law Variations for the Northern Hemisphere (ELVs) may have on the Continuum. The RFU Continuum Group hopes the following will clarify matters.

Bearing in mind that the Continuum is designed to improve the personal rugby skills of young people through quality coaching and to provide an opportunity to practise these acquired personal rugby skills in games where the Laws of the Game have been suitably modified to match the expected skills acquisition of the players within a given Age Band.

iRB Experimental Law Variations. (See RFU Touchline & rfu.com)

·           The RFU Council has agreed that ELV2 “Allowing head and shoulders below hips” and ELV3 “Allowing pulling down of the Maul” should NOT be trialled at Under 19 and younger in England. So will not apply within the Continuum

·          There have been minor amendments to the Rugby Continuum “Rules of Play” to reflect the other ELVs.

o         ELV11 Scrum offside lines-

§           U9 & U10 Mini Rugby the differential offside line at scrums will still apply with the backs of the non putting- in side 5 metres back (was 7 metres).

§          U11 & 12 Midi Rugby ELV 11 applies with both sets of backs offside line 5metres back from hindmost foot of the scrum.

o         ELV4 – Midi Rugby taking ball back into the “22” applies.

o         Lineouts- The Continuum has modified Laws of the Game for Lineouts which will remain as in 2007-8 so ELV5, 6, 9 &10 will not be applied.

Other changes for 2008-9

The CRG has recognised feedback from the game by making the following amendments

·          TEAM DISPENSATION Regulation 6.2.1 (CR2007-8): In 1991 when the Continuum was created many Clubs were struggling with player numbers so when a child was ill etc to avoid the cancellation of games at very short notice a provision was made to allow up to two players to play down an Age Grade. With the dramatic growth over the intervening years in player numbers at Clubs this Team Dispensation is no longer needed

o         Especially as 6.2.5 Special Dispensation for Schools & Clubs with Small Numbers of Players gives a more formal process to obtain dispensation when there is a proven audited shortage of players.

·          POINTS DIFFERENTIAL: Regulation 9.1.4- This has been reworded to “ Matches must be brought to an end if the try difference rises to more than 6 ”.

·          MIDI RUGBY U12: Rule of Play 2(b) Teams- Existing wording plus “Coaches may agree to play twelve-a-side matches (e.g. where pitch size is restricted) in which case the scrum will still consist of six forwards.”

Important news for all Referee Members and Club Officials.

Related Document CLICK HERE