[Law] Blood replacement front rows

[Shelflife]

In the Connacht Glasgow game yesterday Connacht had used up all of their front row subs (all injured) when another prop picked up a cut and had to leave the field.

They tried to to replace him with a second row but we're not allowed as they were now in uncontested scrum territory.

There was no scrum at the time so technically there was no scrums to declare uncontested.

Should Connacht have been allowed to replace the prop until a scrum was awarded ?

 

[Drift]

Law clarification 5 from 2015 covers this.

[LAWS]Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of Rugby Committee
Clarification 5 - 2015
Union Joel Jutge – High Performance Match Official Manager Fifteens
Law Reference 3
Date August 14, 2015

Request
1. Assuming a team only has two players in the starting 23 who can play tight head
(TH). If the starting TH of that team is injured and replaced by the replacement TH
and the replacement TH is subsequently temporarily replaced (either through blood or
a HIA), can that team bring on a replacement, even though when the next scrum is
awarded, that team will not be able to provide a suitably trained TH?
2. If that team is allowed to bring on a replacement, what should happen at the next
scrum?
3. If that team is allowed to bring on a replacement, what happens if that temporary
replacement becomes permanent?

Clarification of the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee
In specific answer to the question:
1. Yes the team can bring on a replacement
2. Uncontested scrums with 15 players
3. If the temporary replacement becomes permanent then the game continues with
uncontested scrums but with 14 players

For the case of completeness the following may help:
Definition from Law book:
Replacement. A player who replaces an injured team-mate.
Substitute. A player who replaces a team-mate for tactical reasons.

Example 1: 3 is injured and replaced (note definition above) by 18 (the declared TH cover). If
18 gets then gets injured the team goes to 14 players and uncontested scrums. (Law 3.5 h, m
and t )

Example 2: 3 is substituted (note definition above) by 18 (the declared TH cover). If 18 gets
then gets injured then 3 can return and the game continues with contested scrums (Law 3.5 r
and s and 3.13)

Example 3: 3 is injured and replaced by 18 (the declared TH cover). If 18 gets then gets
temporarily replaced for Blood (Law 3.10) or HIA (Law 3.11) the team can continue with 15
players but scrums become uncontested until 18 returns. If 18 does not return then the team
goes to 14 players and uncontested scrums. (Law 3.5 h, m and t)

Example 4: 3 is substituted by 18 (the declared TH cover). If 18 gets then gets temporarily
replaced for (Law 3.10) or HIA (Law 3.11) then 3 can return and the game continues with
contested scrums. (Law 3.13)

In order to facilitate this process and apply Law 3.5(g) then teams should declare prior to the
match (on the competition team sheet) exactly which front row positions that players are
suitably trained and experienced to play in. These players can be nominated to play in more
than one front row position.[/LAWS]

 

[Dickie E]

watched a Super game over the weekend and a player got a head knock, took a shot for goal (can't remember if penalty or conversion) then went off for a HIA. Kosher?

 

[Jacko]

In the Connacht Glasgow game yesterday Connacht had used up all of their front row subs (all injured) when another prop picked up a cut and had to leave the field.

They tried to to replace him with a second row but we're not allowed as they were now in uncontested scrum territory.

There was no scrum at the time so technically there was no scrums to declare uncontested.

Should Connacht have been allowed to replace the prop until a scrum was awarded ?

As per the quoted clarification, if the player left for blood they should have been allowed to send on a replacement (despite the prospect of uncontested) and could have had up to 15 minutes (actual time) of uncontested scrums with 15 players on the pitch. If the bleeding can't be stopped in that time it becomes a permanent sub and the replacement has to leave (down to 14).
I wonder how long before we see a team realise that it's in their interest for someone to go down right in the way and require extensive medical care to extract them from the field. Probably taking about 15 minutes.

 

[Camquin]

Dickie not even Halal - surely blow to head = HIA immediately.
If he does not go off immediately he can have ten minutes on the naughty step.
New player may come on, or a play tactically substituted may return.
Not sure if they can take they kick.

I have said before, I think exchanges are a lot simpler and with the current cap do not make for any more sustitutions.

 

[crossref]

watched a Super game over the weekend and a player got a head knock, took a shot for goal (can't remember if penalty or conversion) then went off for a HIA. Kosher?

it wouldn't be acceptable as a plan -- but in general terms if a blow to the head seemed trivial, so no HIA needed, but then two minutes later, unexpectedly, some symptoms are displayed, you'd go off for the HIA, right.