Shorter, simpler law book comes into force today

After a thorough re-write to make things simpler for all of rugby’s stakeholders, the new law book comes into play today (1 January 2018). You can download a copy by clicking the image.

It’s 42% shorter than it was before although the World Rugby group involved in the re-write, maintain that nothing has been removed.

But, a warning, the new book does not include the global experimental law variations we are all now operating under. You’ll need to still use the law variations as outlined here, but obviously the law number references are now all wrong.

For example, the new law book includes, in the Scrum law section – now Law 19-section 15: “When both sides are square, stable and stationary, the referee signals to the scrum-half to throw in the ball.” Under the Global Law Variations (which from today now includes all Southern Hemisphere rugby), this paragraph is removed, as we are now not giving that indication when the scrum is set.

As a reminder, the law changes are covered here and in this Advantage Over podcast.

Edit note: World Rugby haven’t yet updated the iOS laws app with the 2018 book. They say they will be doing, so keep checking for those iOS updates

As referees we are obliged to know and understand the laws, so do take some time to read through the new book and its laws before your next run out.  If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below, or email us at ref@rugbyreferee.net

5 Comments

    • Of course it is. You weren’t expecting WR to have it prepped and ready to go on Day 1 were you..?!?!

  1. “As referees we are obliged to know and understand the laws, so do take some time to read through the new book and its laws before your next run out. ”
    So how many of us have beein brieffed on the book by our societies / unions?

    • That’s, in part, why RugbyReferee.net was set up to help with this sort of problem. From experience, I’ve certainly received the new law book and guidance from the Society/Union I’m in (a few weeks ago), but obviously, the cascade isn’t as effective elsewhere. I’ve had similar comments from around the refereeing world. Get everyone to subscribe to our updates and we’ll do our best to keep you informed!

  2. I am so glad that they have simplified the Law Book. It will be much easier for referees and PR’s to follow.

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