LAW 4. PLAYERS' DRESS

(1)

A player must not wear dangerous projections such as buckles or rings.

(2)

Shoulder pads of the "harness" type must not be worn nor braces nor supports including rigid or reinforced material. The wearing of thin pads of cotton wool, sponge rubber or similar soft material may be permitted only for the protection of an injury, provided they are attached to the body.

(3)

Studs of a player's boots must conform to the British Standard BS 6366: 1983. They must be circular, securely fastened to the boots and of the following dimensions:-

Maximum length
 (measured from sole).........................   18 mm
Minimum diameter at base......................   13 mm
Minimum diameter at top.......................   10 mm
Minimum diameter
 of integral washer...........................   20 mm

The wearing of a single stud at the toe of the boot is prohibited.

Note:-

(i)

The molded rubber multi-studded sole is acceptable under this Law.

(4)

The referee has power to decide before or during the match that any part of a player's dress is dangerous. He must then order the player to remove the dangerous part and permit him to resume playing in the match only after it has been removed.

I.R.F.B. Directive

a)

Scrum Caps. A player may wear a scrum cap as a protection for the ears or against abrasions from hard ground. This headwear may be made of fabric or leather without additional padding. There must be no projections and it may not be construed as a helmet.

b)

Thigh Protectors. Undergarments may be worn but must not include any padding.

c)

Footwear. Law 4(3) remains unchanged. It is therefore not permitted to wear boots which do not conform to the standards as written. The wearing of boots with serrated or ridged soles is strictly forbidden.

U.S.A.R.F.U. Directive: Player's Dress

1)

All players are to wear appropriate uniform and the referee has the power to decide whether non-compliance is dangerous. The referee should, when the ball is dead, allow time for a player to replace or repair a badly torn jersey or shorts. He must not allow time for a player to retie or repair a bootlace. Notwithstanding the above, if a team chooses to use tear-away jerseys it accepts the consequences that a referee may require a player to change his jersey on the sidelines while the game continues.

2)

Studs of a player's boots must be of rubber, aluminum or any approved plastic. No metal other than aluminum is permitted. Studs may not contain nails. The following studs are banned:

i.

Plastic studs with a metal cap,

ii.

American football boots with female studs, ie. having a threaded post that can become exposed.

The molded plastic/rubber soled boot is permissible. No matter what composition, no studs may have sharp edges. All referees are encouraged to inspect studs on a regular basis especially in areas where the game is played on hard surfaces.

3)

A player must not wear dangerous projections, such as buckles or rings, nor any hard or unyielding material even if taped or otherwise covered. Even if a form of protective covering is permitted (see below) it cannot be attached by metal or plastic buckles even if the latter are covered.

4)

The following protective clothing or devices are permitted:

i.

Plastic mouth guard.

ii.

Shin guards, even if contructed of hard plastic, provided they are worn inside the socks and there are no hard edges or corners.

iii.

Sweat bands on head or wrist.

iv. Where the ground is unusually hard, knee and elbow elastic covering are permitted to prevent grass burns.

(5)

Scrum caps made of cloth, soft leather, or soft, readily pliable plastic are permitted. The ears may be taped around the head. All other forms of head gear including wrestling caps are prohibited.

(6)

Elastic or cloth knee braces are permitted except they cannot contain metal or plastic struts even if they are covered with tape or foam rubber. Any form of knee brace that contains plastic or metal is prohibited.

(7)

Any type of shoulder harness to protect a dislocated shoulder is prohibited. Padding of cotton, soft rubber or similar material is permitted to protect an open wound or scab other than on the hand or arm.

(8)

Any device containing plastic or metal to protect against or for a broken nose is prohibited.

(9)

No form of eye glasses is permitted.

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