Law 3: Team

Each team has no more than 15 players in the playing area during play; organisers may authorise fewer.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.1-2 · recall

The captain is told to reduce the number, the score at the time stays and the sanction is a penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.3 · applied

Up to eight in internationals; in other matches the organiser decides, to a maximum of eight.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.4-5 · recall

Joining without permission to gain an advantage is misconduct; sanction penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.7 · applied

Return is allowed only for an injured front-rower, a blood or head injury, an injury from foul play, the nominated-player cases, and in elite rugby a qualifying red card.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.33 · recall

Elite rugby only: after 20 minutes of playing time, unless the act was intentional and highly dangerous.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.33f; Law 9.30 · recall

Rolling tactical replacements may be used at defined levels; interchanges must not exceed 12.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.34 · recall

Replacements are made only when the ball is dead and only with the referee's permission.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.6 · applied

8, 12 and 15.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.1, 3.4, 3.34 · recall

A replacement comes on only when the ball is dead and the referee allows it.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.6 · recall

15 or fewer: three front-rowers, with no replacement obligation.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.8 · recall

16-18 players: four front-rowers, able to replace either a prop or a hooker the first time of asking.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.8 · applied

With 19 to 22 players the squad needs five front-rowers and must cover a prop and a hooker together.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.8 · applied

Elite match, only two front-row replacements: the squad is limited to 22.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.9 · recall

Teams name their front-rowers and front-row replacements and the positions each can play; only they may play there in contested scrums.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.10 · recall

A replacement front-row player may start the match in another position.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.11 · recall

It is a team's responsibility.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.12 · recall

A 23-player squad has six front-rowers and must be able to replace both props and the hooker.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.8 · applied

3, 4, 5 and 6 front-row players.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.8 · recall

1 is the loose-head prop, 2 the hooker, 3 the tight-head prop.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.8 · recall

Scrums become uncontested if either team cannot field a suitably trained front row, or if the referee orders it.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.13 · recall

They must still be played with eight players per side.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.15 · recall

The referee enquires at the next scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.16 · recall

If the player returns or another front-row player comes on, contested scrums may resume.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.16 · recall

In elite rugby, or at the organiser's discretion, that player cannot be replaced.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.17 · recall

Only when no replacement front-row player is available.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.18 · recall

The team nominates another player to leave so a front-rower can come on; after a red card, that player may act as a replacement.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.20 · applied

The team nominates another player to leave; that player may not return until the suspension ends, or as a replacement.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.19 · applied

The referee enquires at the next scrum and orders uncontested scrums if told the team cannot contest.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.16 · recall

The nominated player may not return before the suspension ends, except as a replacement.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.19 · recall

A player may be replaced if injured, and may not return once replaced.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.21 · recall

At national representative level it is the opinion of a doctor; the referee may also decide.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.22 · recall

If the player is not back within 15 minutes (actual time) of leaving, the replacement becomes permanent.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.25 · recall

The HIA limit is 12 minutes of actual time; after that the swap is permanent.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.27 · recall

Up to 5 minutes may be taken to stem the bleeding before the 12-minute HIA begins.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.27 · recall

The originally replaced player, if medically cleared, becomes a tactically replaced player who may return under Law 3.33.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.30 · applied

It becomes permanent unless the replaced player returns immediately at the start of the second half.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.32 · applied

Recognise and Remove: a concussed or suspected concussed player is immediately and permanently removed.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.24 · applied

5, 12 and 15 minutes.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.25, 3.27 · recall

The player returns as soon as the bleeding is controlled or covered, within 15 minutes.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 3.25 · recall