UNCONTESTED SCRUMS23 PLAYERS
Law 3.6 UNCONTESTED SCRUMS
(a) Scrums will become uncontested if either team cannot field a suitable trained front row
or if the referee orders so.
(d) In a squad of 23 players a player whose departure has caused the referee to order
uncontested scrums cannot be replaced.
LAW AMENDMENT TRIAL:
(h) Uncontested scrums because of a sending off, temporary suspension or injury must be
played with eight players.
Exceptions:
Temporary replacement - blood injury:
1. When the referee orders uncontested scrums after a front row player is
temporary replaced for a blood injury, the team responsible for the uncontested
scrums does not lose a player.
2. If the temporary replacement becomes permanent after 15 minutes the team
lose a player – the temporary replacement must leave the field.
3. The team must form a scrum with eight players.
Temporary replacement – HIA (head injury assessment):
1. When the referee orders uncontested scrums after a front row player is
temporary replaced for a HIA, the team responsible for the uncontested scrums
does not lose a player.
2. If the temporary replacement becomes permanent after 10 minutes the team
lose a player – the temporary replacement must leave the field.
3. The team must form a scrum with eight players.
Player injured because of foul play:
1. When the referee orders uncontested scrums after a front row player is injured
following foul play, the team responsible for the uncontested scrums does not
lose a player.
2. The team must form a scrum with eight players.
Scenario 1.
During the match a team replaced both their props through injury. The replacement TH gets
injured.
1. If the team cannot field a suitably trained front row uncontested scrums must be
ordered. The injured TH player cannot be replaced. The team lose a player.
2. The remaining front row substitutes (hooker/LH) must be used in the front row
of the uncontested scrums and another player must be nominated to leave the
field.
3. The team plays with 14 players until the end of the game.
4. Both teams must form with eight players in the scrum.
Scenario 2.
During the match a team replaced both their props through injury. The replacement TH is
temporary suspended (Y/C). At the next scrum awarded in the match the following applies:
1. If the team cannot field a suitably trained front row, uncontested scrums must
be ordered. The temporary suspended TH player cannot be replaced.
2. The temporary suspended TH caused uncontested scrums to be ordered
therefore the team lose a player. The team must nominate a player to leave the
field.
3. The remaining substitute (hooker) must be used in the front row of the
uncontested scrums and another player must be nominated to leave the field to
allow the hooker to come on to the field to play.
4. The team plays with 13 players for the remainder of the temporary suspension
time of the TH.
5. Both teams must form uncontested scrums with eight players in the scrum.
6. At the end of the TH temporary suspension time the replacement hooker must
leave the field.
7. The TH and the two nominated players must return to the field to play.
8. The game continues with contested scrums.
Scenario 3.
During the match a team replaced both their props through injury. The replacement TH is
permanently suspended (R/C). At the next scrum awarded in the match the following
applies:
1. If the team cannot field a suitable front row, uncontested scrums must be
ordered. The permanently suspended TH player cannot be replaced.
2. The permanent suspended TH caused uncontested scrums to be ordered
therefore the team lose a player. The team must nominate a player to leave the
field.
3. The remaining substitute (hooker) must be used in the front row of the
uncontested scrums. Another player must be nominated to leave the field to
allow the hooker to come on to the field to play.
4. The team plays with 13 players for the remainder of the match.
5. Both teams must form with eight players in the scrum.
Scenario 4.
During the match a team replaced a prop (LH) and the hooker through injury. The TH prop is
called from the field for a HIA. The TH prop is temporarily replaced by the remaining
substitution TH prop. The temporary replacement TH prop gets injured before the TH prop
(HIA) is cleared to play. The following applies:
1. The team cannot field a suitably trained front row and does not have any front
row players left that can play in the match. Uncontested scrums must be
ordered.
2. The injured TH prop can be temporary replaced by any available player - the
uncontested scrums is caused by the TH prop that was called for HIA. The team
does not lose a player.
3. The team continue to play with the number of forward players at the time when
uncontested scrums were ordered.
4. Both teams must form with eight players in the scrum.
5. If the TH prop is cleared to play within the allowed time the player must return
to the field of play immediately and replace the temporary replacement.
6. The game continues with contested scrums.
The above also applies in the case of a blood injury.
Comments:
1. The front row tactical substitutions during the match does not influence the
application of the uncontested scrum laws at the time uncontested scrums are
ordered.
2. Front row players who are temporarily substitutions in the match and whom are
temporarily suspended or permanently suspended does not change or influence
the application of the uncontested scrum laws at the time when uncontested
scrums are ordered.
3. When a player is tactically replaced, and subsequently develops an injury, that
change must be communicated to the 4/5 at that time, having been verified by
the independent match doctor, where one is appointed.
4. It is of high importance that the movement of players during the match are
meticulously monitored and the reasons for changes properly documented with
all relevant detail.
5. It is advised that a no 6 official should be considered to specifically fulfil the role
of notational analyst to document all information in this regard.