Premiership Women’s Rugby Competition Regulations 2023-24
Index

Contents: 

• 1. Definitions & Interpretations
• 2. Governance & Administration
  • Covid Variations & Standards
• 3. The Competition
• 4. Fixtures & Kick-off Times
  • Postponed Matches
  • Abandoned Matches - Weather Conditions
  • Abandoned Matches - Any other reason than weather
  • Re-scheduling or Re-arranging Matches
  • Failure to Fulfil Obligations
• 5. Player Eligibility & Match Squads
  • Player Transfers
  • Movement of Players between teams inside a club
  • Loan Player
  • Match Squad - Replacements
  • Match Squad - Announcements
• 6. Match Result Card
• 7. Playing Kit
• 8. Match Officials
• 9. Grounds and the Home Club
• 10. Medical Matters
  • Attendance of a Medical Practitioner for Players, the Referee and the Assistant Referees
  • Head Injuries
  • Medical Minimum Standards Criteria
• 11. Finance
• 12. Breach of Regulations
  • Enforcement of Regulations
  • Breaches of Regulations
• 13. Miscellaneous
  • Governing Law & Jurisdiction
  • Good Faith
  • Notices
  • Trophy
• Application to the Cup Competition
• Appendix 1 EQP Protocol
• Appendix 2 Place Kick Competition
• Appendix 3 Substitution Protocol
• Appendix 4 Technical Area
• Appendix 5 Cup Competition

Premiership Women’s Rugby
Competiiton Regulations 2023-24

1. Definitions & Interpretation

• 1.1 In these Regulations, defined terms shall have the following meaning. Any terms not defined in these Regulations shall have the meanings set out in RFU Regulation 1 or in the RFU Rules (as applicable).

• 1.2 Where the context so admits:
  • (i) words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa; and
  • (ii) words importing persons shall include firms, corporations and unincorporated associations.
• 1.3 Section, regulation and Appendix headings are for ease of reference only and shall not affect the construction of these Regulations.

2. Governance & Administration

• 2.1 The RFU has, pursuant to its powers set out in RFU Regulation 6, designated Premier Women's Rugby Limited as the Organising Committee of the Competition and has delegated to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited the responsibility to administer and manage the Competition, pursuant to the Licence and Delegation Agreement.
• 2.2 Save as set out in the Licence and Delegation Agreement, these Regulations may be varied from time to time (whether by way of alteration, addition, deletion or otherwise) by Premier Women's Rugby Limited, with the prior written consent of the RFU. Premier Women's Rugby Limited will consult with the Clubs and the RFU before varying these Regulations.
• 2.3 Premier Women's Rugby Limited shall have the power to delegate any of its powers, duties or obligations under these Regulations to its personnel, RFU personnel or to the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions), who in turn may delegate as it so determines to such other individuals or entities as required.
• 2.4 These Regulations are supplemental to the RFU Regulations which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall have full force and effect save to the extent that the RFU Regulations are varied by these Regulations. In the event of conflict between these Regulations and the RFU Regulations, these Regulations will prevail and the RFU Regulations (to the extent that they affect the Clubs) are deemed varied by these Regulations.
• 2.5 If any of the provisions of these Regulations shall be found to be void or unenforceable, such provisions shall be deemed to be deleted from these Regulations and the remaining provisions of these Regulations shall continue in full force and effect and Premier Women's Rugby Limited shall use its reasonable endeavours following the procedures laid down by Regulation 2.2 above to procure that such provision is replaced by a provision which is valid and enforceable and which gives effect to the spirit of these Regulations.
• 2.6 A rugby union club shall not be entitled to be or to remain a participant of the Competition unless it is a member of the RFUor licensed to play in the Competition and has signed up, and adheres to, the provisions of the Participation Agreement pertaining to the Competition.
• 2.7 Participation in the Competition shall constitute an agreement between Premier Women’s Rugby Limited, the RFU and each of the Clubs, to the same extent as if they had each signed and sealed these Regulations, to be bound by and to comply with:
  • (i) these Regulations;
  • (ii) the Laws of the Game;
  • (iii) the Rules, Regulations and Bye-Laws for the time being of World Rugby and RFU;
  • (iv) the Club’s Participation Agreement (including the Minimum Operating Standards and the Minimum Medical Standards); and
  • (v) the Remuneration Cap Regulations.
• 2.8 If a Club’s Participation Agreement expires or is terminated for any reason, then the Club’s participation in the Competition may also be terminated.
• 2.9 All Clubs must ensure that all Players, coaching personnel, medical personnel and/or such other individuals as reasonably notified to the Club by Premier Women's Rugby Limited complete in full any education modules that may be developed and prescribed by Premier Women's Rugby Limited or the RFU on such conditions and by the timeframe notified to those individuals who are required to complete the module. Any failure to comply with this regulation and/or failure by any individual who is required to complete the module by the stipulated timeframe may result in sanction which will be determined by Premier Women's Rugby Limited.
• 2.10 All Clubs must have a valid health and safety certificate in respect of their ground at the time that the Matches are played at their ground.

• 2.11 Covid Variations and Standards

  • (i) In order to cater for the ongoing impact of the global Covid crisis on rugby union in England (and such other infectious disease and/or public health emergency), regulatory variations have been agreed and put in place to ensure that, as far as possible, the Regulations are flexible enough to deal with and adapt to the ever-changing Covid (or other, as applicable) landscape. This flexibility needs to be balanced against the overriding objective of the RFU and Premier Women’s Rugby Limited to deliver meaningful and authentic competition and maintain the integrity of the competition and to ensure the player welfare is at the forefront.
  • (ii) These variations are set out in RFU Regulation 22. In the event of any conflict between RFU Regulation 22 and the remainder of these Regulations, RFU Regulation 22 will prevail.
  • (iii) The Clubs shall abide by any Covid Minimum Operating Standards agreed and amended by the RFU and Premier Women’s Rugby Limited from time to time and notified to the Clubs.

3. The Competition

• 3.1 The Competition shall, subject to the RFU Regulations (but it being acknowledged by the RFU that this Regulation 3.1 takes precedence over RFU Regulation 6.11), be called such name as is decided upon by Premier Women's Rugby Limited which may include the name of the sponsor and shall be played between the Clubs authorised by Premier Women's Rugby Limited to participate in the Competition.
• 3.2 All Matches in the Competition shall be played in accordance with these Regulations, the World Rugby Laws of the Game of Rugby Union Football and World Rugby Regulations(including such other variations and trials as may be agreed by the RFU and World Rugby).
• 3.3 The Competition will comprise of two stages (unless otherwise notified by Premier Women's Rugby Limited):
  • 3.3.1 during the Stage One, each Club shall play each other Club on a home and away basis;
  • 3.3.2 at the conclusion of the Stage One, the top four Clubs will enter the Knock Out Stage as set out in Regulation 3.3.3.
  • 3.3.3 The Knock Out Stage shall be:
    • (i) the Competition semi-finals comprising the top four Clubs from Stage One, who shall play each other as follows:
      Semi-final 1 -The Clubs in first and fourth place at the end of Stage One shall play each other once at the home venue of the first placed Club.
      Semi-final 2 - The Clubs in second and third place at the end of Stage One shall play each other once at the home venue of the second placed Club.
      on the dates and at the times selected by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited.
    • (ii) the Competition final (which shall comprise the two winning Clubs from the Competition semi- finals) will be played over one Match at a venue and on a date and time in the Season selected by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited.
• 3.4 The winner of the Competition final shall be the Competition winner, unless otherwise notified by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited or the RFU. 
• 3.5 There will be no automatic promotion and/or relegation from the Competition and the entry and exit mechanism for the Competition will be as determined by agreement between Premier Women’s Rugby Limited, the RFU and the Clubs as further particularised in the Shareholder Agreement.
• 3.6 The following points shall be awarded based on the results of each Match (such points to be referred to as "League Points" to distinguish them from points scored on the field of play):
  • 3.6.1 The Club that wins the Match shall be awarded four League Points or if it scores four tries or more in the process five League Points.
  • 3.6.2 The Club that loses the Match shall be awarded no League Points or if it scores four tries or more in the process or loses by a margin of seven points or fewer one League Point or if it scores four tries or more in the process and loses by a margin of seven points or fewer two League Points.
  • 3.6.3 Clubs that draw a Match shall each be awarded two League Points and any of them that scores four tries or more in the process shall also be awarded a further one League Point.
  • 3.6.4 In the case of equality of League Points, positions in the table shall be determined as follows:
    • (i) the number of wins achieved;
    • (ii) if Clubs have equal League Points and equal number of wins then a Club with a larger difference between Match points “for” and Match points “against” shall be placed higher in the table than a Club with a smaller difference between Match points “for” and Match points “against”.
    • (iiI) should Clubs have the same number of League Points, the same wins and the same Match points difference, the Club having scored more Match points “for” shall be placed higher in the table than the Club having the lesser number of Match points “for”.
    • (iv) if this still does not establish the positions then the Clubs involved shall be ranked according to the number of Matches won, excluding the first league Match of the season. If necessary, this process shall be extended to exclude the second Match, third Match and so on until the final positions are established.
• 3.7 In the semi-finals and the final, if after 40 minutes of play each way, the scores are level, there shall be a five-minute break (where the team sand Players shall remain on the pitch) and then a period of extra time shall begin between the teams of 10 minutes each way, with a1-minute interval. If the scores remain equal after this period of extra time, then the winner will be the team which has scored the most tries in the Match (including extra time). If the scores are level and the number of tries scored is equal, then there shall be a place kick competition (as set out in Appendix 2) to determine the winner.

4. Fixtures & Kick-off Times

• 4.1 Subject to any agreement between Premier Women's Rugby Limited, the Clubs and the RFU, all Matches shall be played on the Weekend of the dates scheduled in the Fixture List save:
  • (i) where both Clubs agree to rearrange a fixture and Premier Women’s Rugby Limited has given its written approval; or
  • (ii) where Premier Women’s Rugby Limited decides to rearrange a fixture date and/or time if deemed appropriate, having consulted with both Clubs. Such decision shall be binding on each Club.
• 4.2 All Matches shall kick-off at a time to be determined by the Home Club and notified to the Away Club and Premier Women’s Rugby Limited. Such kick-off times must be approved by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited. If either Clubwishes to change a kick-offtime, anychange must be notified toPremier Women’s Rugby Limited at least 6 weeks in advance of the Match and approved by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited. In the event of a dispute as to kick-off time, the kick-off time shall be determined by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited.
• 4.3 Premier Women’s Rugby Limited will take the decision on the location of the final venue with regard to the best interests of the Clubs participating in the Competition and any commercial considerations.
• 4.4 In relation to a Match televised or streamed live, Premier Women’s Rugby Limited shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, determine the day and the time of kick-off for such Competition Match and notify the relevant Clubs.
• 4.5 Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Regulations, Premier Women’s Rugby Limited shall have the absolute right to select or alter the proposed date or kick-off time of any Match in the Competition.
• 4.6 All Matches shall be of 80 minutes duration, divided into two halves of 40 minutes each. In all Matches, the interval between each of the two halves shall be 15 minutes (unless otherwise agreed between both Clubs and the Referee - and if a televised or streamed fixture, the broadcaster) during which time the teams may leave the pitch.

Non-Fulfilment of fixture obligations

Postponed Matches

• 4.7 In adverse Weather conditions, each Club must notify Premier Women’s Rugby Limited of any concern in relation to the condition of the pitch and notify Premier Women’s Rugby Limited of the steps it plans to take and/or has taken to minimise disruption to any Match.
• 4.8 If a fixture is in doubt due to the pitch being unplayable because of bad Weather or the forecast of bad Weather, the visiting team must be informed as soon as practicable. A suitably accredited independent RFU Referee (where possible) must confirm the postponement after an inspection of the Match pitch. Such a pitch inspection by an independent Referee must take place before the time the visiting team intend to travel to fulfil the fixture. Where a pitch inspection has taken place on the day prior to the day of the Match and it is decided that the Match should not be postponed, a further pitch inspection must take place on the day of the Match by no later than 10am on that day or 3 hours prior to kick-off of the Match (whichever is earlier).
• 4.9 If the independent Referee having undertaken an inspection deems the pitch unplayable and/or likely to be unplayable the Home Club must act on that judgement and immediately postpone the fixture. The Home Club must notify Premier Women’s Rugby Limited immediately of the decision to postpone. If the independent Referee deems the pitch playable and/or likely to be playable the Home Club must act on that judgement and notify the visiting team accordingly.
• 4.10 If this procedure is not followed and the fixture is postponed because the pitch is unplayable, and if the visiting team have travelled to fulfil the fixture, the Home Club may be responsible for 50% of the costs of travel and accommodation incurred by the visiting team or other sanction as deemed appropriate by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions). Such costs will be payable by the Home Club within 28 days from receipt of the relevant invoice and supporting copy invoices from the visiting team.
• 4.11 When a late decision within 3 hours of kick-off as to the fitness of the pitch for playing a Match is necessary, the decision shall be made by the captains of the teams involved. If the captains are not able to agree, the decision as to the fitness of the pitch should be made by the appointed Referee in accordance with Regulation 4.9 above. If the Match is postponed the Home Club mustnotify Premier Women’s Rugby Limited immediately of the decision to postpone. If the Referee declines or fails to make a decision, and the captains disagree about the fitness of the pitch, the Match shall be immediately postponed, and the circumstances notified to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited immediately of the decision to postpone. Regulation 4.10 must be adhered to in addition to the provisions set out in any such related protocol that may be provided to the Clubs by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited.
• 4.12 If the Match is postponed for any reason other than the weather, the Home Club must follow the procedure outlined in 4.10 above.

Abandoned Matches - Weather conditions

• 4.13 If Weather conditions prevent a Match being played or a Match is abandoned because of such conditions with less than sixty minutes having been played, it is the responsibility of the Referee and the Home Club (other than in the Final in the Knock- Out Stage) to advise the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) (or its delegate) of the reason for non- playing or non-completion of the Match immediately following the abandonment and to provide the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) with a written report within 24 hours of the abandonment unless an extended period has been specified by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions). The Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) will determine if the Match will be replayed on a date specified by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) or whether the result will stand.
• 4.14 Following the notification of the abandonment of the Match from the Referee (and/or Home Club) and having obtained advice in relation to the forecasted local weather conditions and being in receipt of any other information deemed by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) to be relevant, the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) may determine that the Match be played on the next available date (or otherwise) as determined by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions).
• 4.15 If a Match is abandoned because of Weather conditions when sixty or more minutes have been played, then the score at the moment of abandonment shall stand and be deemed the final score in the Match. The Referee’s decision as to the necessity for abandonment and the number of minutes played at the moment of abandonment shall be final.

Abandoned Matches - any reason other than weather

• 4.16 If the Referee deems it necessary to abandon a Match for any reason other than Weather conditions, then, irrespective of the number of minutes played, the result and score of that Match may be determined by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) in its absolute discretion but subject to the right of the affected Clubs to appeal the decision pursuant to RFU Regulation 19.13. The Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) may order the Match to be replayed in which event the Match will take place on a date specified by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions).

Re-scheduling or Re-arranging Matches

• 4.17 Subject to Regulation4.1,a Match shall be played/replayed on a date specified by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions).

Failure To Fulfil Obligations

• 4.18 No Club shall, without just cause (it being for Premier Women's Rugby Limited to determine whether or not just cause exists), fail to fulfil its fixture obligations in respect of a Match on the date and at the time appointed for such fixture.
• 4.19 Lack of available Players whether through injury, illness or because of other commitments is not a valid reason for failing to fulfil a fixture. The result of the match may be determined by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions), who may also impose a further sanction if the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) determines (in their sole discretion) that the Club has unjustifiably failed to fulfil the Match.
• 4.20 In the event that a Club shall so fail to fulfil its fixture obligations in respect of a Match the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) may, and subject to the Club’s right of appeal pursuant to RFU Regulation 19.13, in its absolute discretion award the League Points to either side, divide the League Points between the sides or decide that no League Points shall be awarded. If the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) is of the view that a Club has unjustifiably failed to fulfil its fixture obligations in respect of a Match, it may deduct League Points from the Club and/or make an order for a fine to be imposed and/or award compensation and/or award the result of the Match to the other Club and/or impose such other sanction as it considers appropriate. In addition, or instead it may order the Match to be postponed or re-arranged or replayed on a date specified by Premier Women's Rugby Limited. All decisions made by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) pursuant to this Regulation 4.20 shall be subject to the right of the affected Clubs to appeal the decision pursuant to RFU Regulation 19.13.
   
• 4.21 Any Club which is suspended from playing rugby union football for disciplinary reasons will not be permitted to re-arrange any Match falling within the period of the suspension. The effects thereof on the non-offending Clubs in the Competition shall be dealt with by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) in its absolute discretion but subject to a right of appeal by any affected Club pursuant to RFU Regulation 19.13.
• 4.22 In addition to whether or not a penalty is imposed upon a Club by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions), where in the opinion of the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions)the Club has failed to honour its Match obligations, a Club shall be liable to pay to any opposing Club compensation in respect of the losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses suffered or incurred by such opposing Club as a result of such failure. The amount of such compensation will, in the absence of agreement between the Clubs, be determined by the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) and a Club may appeal the compensation award in accordance with RFU Regulation 19.13.

5. Player Eligibility & Match Squads

• 5.1 Subject to the other provisions of these Regulations, a Club may only play or select as a replacement, Players who:
  • (i) are registered with the RFU on the RFU’s Game Registration Management System in accordance with the requirements of the RFU by 12 noon on the Friday before the Weekend on which the Match is being played(and in the case of Friday matches, by 12 noon on the day before the match is being played); and
    Please note that all registrations must be processed by the RFU centrally rather than online
  • (ii) do not have a contract and/or registration with any other rugby union body, entity or club such as would prevent the Players from playing for the Club or in the Competition at the date of the Match; and
  • (iiI) in the case of an Overseas Player wishing to be registered with a Club, have accompanied their application for registration with a Clearance (as defined in World Rugby Regulation 1) from their current Union.
• 5.2 The record held by the RFU is the only and conclusive evidence of a Player’s eligibility in relation to a Club (save in the case of such registration having been made as a result of inaccurate, false or misleading information having been provided in which case the Player will not be eligible) and if a Player is on the Match Result Card but not on the RFU’s record as being eligible to play for a Club, that Player will be deemed ineligible.
• 5.3 A Club participating in the Competition:
  • 5.3.1 must have a minimum average of 13 EQPs in a Match day squad (for the First XV team only) in Qualification Period 1 of the Competition as further particularised by the EQP Protocol set out at Appendix 1;
  • 5.3.2 must have a minimum average of 13 EQPs in a Match day squad (for the First XV team only) in Qualification Period 2 of the Competition as further particularised by the EQP Protocol set out at Appendix 1;
  • 5.3.3 must have a minimum of 13 EQPs in a Match day squad (for the First XV team only) in the Knock Out Stage of the Competition as further particularised by the EQP Protocol set out in Appendix 1;
  • 5.3.4 is permitted to have up to 45 adult Players (including Foreign Players) registered at the Club at any one time plus up to 15 Dual Registered Players (as defined within RFU Regulation 1) and such England and/or GB Sevens Players as may be approved by the RFU to be registered at the Club; and
  • 5.3.5 must engage Players on the terms of the template employment or volunteer agreement (as applicable), in each case as agreed between Premier Women's Rugby Limited, the RFU and the Clubs from time to time.
• 5.4 After each Match, Premier Women’s Rugby Limited will check the Match Result Card against the relevant list submitted to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited and if a Player is on the Match Result Card but not on the submitted list, that Player will be deemed ineligible.
• 5.5 Notwithstanding any other provision in these Regulations, no Player may participate in the Competition whilst serving a disciplinary suspension imposed by their Club, the Union with jurisdiction over their Club, or any other competent party, whether such suspension has been imposed pursuant to these Regulations, the rules or regulations of that Club or Union, the rules of any other rugby union competition, World Rugby or the RFU Regulations relating to the Game.

Player Transfers

• 5.6 A Player may not hold a registration with more than three (3) Clubs (as defined in RFU Regulation 1) in any Season, save that this will not apply in respect of Players registered pursuant to RFU Regulation 14.3.8, 14.3.9 or 14.3.11 or unless otherwise approved in writing by the RFU Rugby Events and Competitions Department.
• 5.7 In respect of Loan Players loaned between a Club and Championship 1 clubs, a Player may move freely between those clubs until the Transfer Deadline but once the Transfer Deadline has passed a Player may not hold Effective Registration with the same club more than three (3) times. When counting the number of consecutive Effective Registrations, a Loan Player has held, the Player’s Effective Registration with that club on the Transfer Deadline day shall not count providing the Player has not been subject of a transfer during the Season.
• 5.8 In the event of a Player transferring from one club to another within England, a Player registration form must be completed and signed by an officer of the current club and the new club prior to it being submitted to the RFU Rugby Events & Performance Competitions Department.
• 5.9 An officer of the current club may refuse to sign the Player registration form where:
  • (i) the Player has a Contract with the current club which has not yet expired;
  • (ii) the Player is being disciplined under RFU Rule 5.12;
  • (iii) the Player owes money to the club under applicable RFU or World Rugby Regulations.
• 5.10 Any such objection must be submitted in writing to the RFU Rugby Events & Performance Competitions Department stating all the grounds upon which the objection is made within 7 days of being notified of the proposed transfer.
• 5.11 Once completed, all registration forms must be submitted to the RFU Rugby Events & Performance Competitions Department who will confirm the date from which the transferred Player will be permitted to play for the new club. There is a 7-day waiting period from the date of receipt by the RFU Rugby Events and Performance Competitions Department of the registration form during which time the Player will not be permitted to play for the new club, unless the Expedited Registration Process is followed.
• 5.12 The transfer deadline for all clubs to register additional Players (including Loan Players) is 12 noon on the 15thMarch 2024(the RFU stipulated waiting period having been completed by the transfer deadline), unless otherwise approved in writing by the RFU (for example in respect of maternity cover for an existing Player if approved pursuant to the Remuneration Cap Regulations).
• 5.13 A Club may only apply for a Player to become effectively registered after the Transfer Deadline if they are either:
  • (i) A Permitted Player (as defined in RFU Regulation 1); or
  • (ii) A Loan Player seeking Effective Registration to return to the Club which loaned them; or
  • (iii) A Player who the Club in exceptional circumstances needs to be Effectively Registered after the Transfer Deadline to enable the Club to comply with its regulatory requirements in relation to the provision of front row forwards and the RFU (or person to whom it has delegated this) is satisfied that the Player’s registration is necessary.

Movement of Players between teams inside a club

• 5.14 Any Player representing the Club in an RFU league must be registered with the Club in accordance with the RFU registration process and subject to the Player registration cap set out in Regulation 5.3.4.

Loan Player

• 5.15 Clubs in this Competition can Loan Players from any club at Level 1 and below. No side can play more than three Loaned Players in any match day squad. 
• 5.16 Clubs in this Competition can Loan Players to any club in the Competition, Championship 1, Championship 2 and National Challenge 1 but cannot Loan Players to any club below National Challenge 1.
• 5.17 No Borrowing is permitted as between a Club in this Competition and any other club.

Match Squad - Replacements

• 5.18 In each Match up to eight (8) replacements and substitutes are permitted in accordance with World Rugby Law 3 and World Rugby resolutions/rulings/directives relating thereto and the Clubs shall comply with such Law and resolutions/rulings/directives. In the interests of safety each team playing in the Competition must have at least five (5) (or six (6) in the case of a 23 person squad) fit and able Players of 18 years of age or older in the squad who can play at hooker, tight head prop and loose head prop who are suitably rained and experienced to ensure that: (i)on the first occasion that a replacement hooker is required; and (ii) on the first occasion that a replacement prop is required; in each the team can continue to play safely with contested scrums.
• 5.19 Subject to 5.21 below, if on any occasion where uncontested scrums are ordered by the Referee as a result of there being no suitably trained and experienced front row replacement for any reason (which includes injury, temporary blood injury, temporary exclusion (i.e. following a yellow card) or permanent exclusion (i.e. following a sending off)), the team concerned shall not be entitled to replace the Player whose departure caused the uncontested scrums. On return to the field of play of the front row Player who has been temporarily excluded or injured the Match shall continue with contested scrums.
• 5.20 If a Match is completed and contained uncontested scrums, the Club that was responsible for causing uncontested scrums must upon the request of Premier Women’s Rugby Limited provide to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited such information as it may require including if requested a medical report identifying the injuries sustained by its front row Players which must be signed by the Club Doctor. The Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) may take such action it deems appropriate in respect of any suspected, alleged or actual breach of Regulations 5.17 to 5.19 and shall notify all Clubs of any action taken, if any. Any Club may appeal against the decision of the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions) in accordance with RFU Regulation 19.13.
• 5.21 In every case where a Player needs to leave the field with a bleeding or open wound (“blood injury”) a member of the opposition medical team has the right to request that the injury is assessed before any temporary replacement is authorised. That request must be made through the Fourth Official prior to the Fourth Official confirming any change with the Referee. The injury must be examined in the technical zone under the supervision of the Fourth Official.
• 5.22 In circumstances where a member of a Club's medical team feels that there is a need to assess a blood injury of an opposition Player after a temporary replacement has been authorised, this request will also be made through the Fourth Official who will facilitate an assessment with the opposition's medical team.
• 5.23 All requests to assess an injury of an opposition Player which are made through the Fourth Official will be the subject of a report from the Fourth Official which will be provided to Premier Women's Rugby Limited. Premier Women's Rugby Limited will have the ability to request any further information from any party connected to the Club(s) as it sees appropriate.
• 5.24 The Substitution Protocol set out in Appendix 3, or such other substitution protocol as Premier Women’s Rugby Limited may determine be used from time to time and which shall be communicated by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited to Clubs, shall apply.

Match Squad - Announcements

• 5.25 Each Club shall announce the team selected to represent it in a particular Match (numbered in accordance with World Rugby Regulations as if the Match were an international match) to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited (in such form as Premier Women’s Rugby Limited may from time to time determine which may be an Electronic Match Card) and to the media no later than 11:00am on Friday before Saturday or Sunday or Bank Holiday Monday Matches and, in the case of Matches taking place on any other days, no later than 11:00am on the day immediately prior to such Match.
• 5.26 Any changes to a team selected for a particular Match caused by legitimate injury or illness to a Player after the official announcement detailed in Regulation 5.25 must be communicated to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited in the firs instance and to the media and to the public via Club controlled social media platforms as soon as reasonably practicable before the Match and in any event promptly upon the Club becoming aware of the need for such change.

6. Match Result Card

• 6.1 An authorised representative of a Club participating in a Match must submit to the Referee for such Match, at least one hour before the kick-off time for such Match, a Match Result Card (in such form as Premier Women's Rugby Limited may from time to time determine which may be an Electronic Match Card) containing a list of the full names of each of the Players of that Club who are to take part or act as replacements in such Match.
• 6.2 If a Player on the Match Result Card submitted to the Referee in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 6.1sustains an injury after such Match Result Card is submitted to the Referee but before kick-off of the Match, they may be replaced by another Player and the Referee must be informed of this immediately and such Match Result Card must be amended by the Club accordingly.
• 6.3 The Home Club shall, within four hours after the end of the Match, complete and sign (by electronic signature) the Match Result Card and submit it to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited and such person or agency as may be determined and notified to the Clubs from time to time. Within eight hours after the end of Match, the Referee and Away Club shall also sign (by electronic signature) the Match Result Card for further certification. Premier Women's Rugby Limited shall hold the definitive table of results for the Competition.
• 6.4 The Match Result Card will be the only evidence acceptable from a Club of the names of the Players who played or were replacements for the Match without prejudice to the right of the Club to produce supporting evidence in the event of a question being raised.

7. Playing Kit

• 7.1 By such date stipulated by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited, each Club shall give to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited written details of its first and second choice of colours in relation to Match jerseys, shorts and socks. Such details shall be provided in electronic format which shall clearly show the artwork of the jerseys (front and back), shorts and socks. For avoidance of doubt, the first choice must be predominantly one colour with the second a total contrast.
• 7.2 Premier Women’s Rugby Limited shall determine which choice of colours a Club wears in any Match.
• 7.3 In Matches Players’ jerseys may carry advertising subject to any requirement from time to time specified by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited, the RFU and/or World Rugby.
• 7.4 In Matches, jerseys shall be numbered and/or named as required by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited and in accordance with World Rugby Regulations.

8. Match Officials

• 8.1 The Match Officials shall be appointed by the RFU from a pool of referees and assistant referees. In the event that a Match is televised, a television match official may be appointed by the RFU and in which case, the World Rugby TMO Protocol shall apply.
• 8.2 The Match Officials shall be required to wear such kit as may from time to time be determined by the RFU.
• 8.3 The Home Club is responsible for supplying an official from the Club to act as the Fifth Official.

9. Grounds and the Home Club

• 9.1 Each Club shall register with the RFU and Premier Women’s Rugby Limited the name and address of its principal Home ground together with the Club’s contracted standby ground, if it has one, and any temporary ground.
• 9.2 Each Club shall take all reasonable steps to maintain its pitch to an adequate standard. Premier Women’s Rugby Limited may require a Club to take such steps as it shall specify if it is not satisfied that its pitch is being maintained to an adequate standard.
• 9.3 The Home Club is responsible for correctly and clearly marking its pitch to the satisfaction of Premier Women’s Rugby Limited and in accordance with the Laws of the Game and will use its best endeavours to remove any football or other markings which may also be visible on the pitch.
• 9.4 Each Club must make proper provision to ensure that all spectators are kept at a reasonable distance from the field of play and outside of the 5m run off area.
• 9.5 Each Club must make provision for two technical areas as outlined in Appendix4 and shall ensure that all coaching and playing personnel comply with the requirements contained therein.
• 9.6 The Home Club shall also provide an additional 10 seats in a reasonable location with close proximity to the dressing rooms for the support staff and travelling reserves of the Visiting Team. Each of these seats must have been identified and approved by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited prior to the start of the Competition. Premier Women’s Rugby Limited shall determine the location of these seats if the proposed location is not deemed by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited to be in a reasonable location.
• 9.7 The Home Club shall provide the Away Club with such seats and facilities as required and upon such condition set out in the Minimum Operating Standards. Premier Women’s Rugby Limited shall determine the location of these seats if the proposed location is not deemed by the Premier Women’s Rugby Limited to be in a reasonable location and/or sufficiently protected from rain and adverse weather conditions.
• 9.8 Any Player temporarily suspended when playing in a Match must remain in the technical area or leave the playing enclosure and be clearly and readily identifiable to the Fourth Official.
• 9.9 Any Player ordered off must leave the playing enclosure and must retire to the changing rooms or stands. For the avoidance of doubt, a Player may not remain in the technical area or pitch side once they have received a red card from the Referee.
• 9.10 The Home Club is responsible for making available to the Match Officials separate suitable changing room facilities.
• 9.11 Where required by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited, the Home Club is responsible for making available seating for the time keeper operating the countdown clock and the referee manager all with an appropriate working area away from and outside of the vicinity of the coaching staff of the Away Club and Home Club and having the location of such area approved by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited prior to the start of the Competition. Premier Women’s Rugby Limited shall determine the location of these seats if the proposed location is not deemed by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited to be in a suitable location with an appropriate working area.
• 9.12 The Home Club is responsible, subject to Regulations 4.8 to 4.10, for making available on request by the Away Club the use of the pitch for a captain’s run for up to 1 hour on the day before the Match. Such request shall be made by the Away Club at least 48 hours prior to kick-off of the Match.
• 9.13 The Home Club is responsible for making available to the Away Club the pitch for their pre-match warm up unless adverse weather conditions prevent both teams from warming up on the pitch. In the event that both teams are unable to warm up on the pitch a suitable area must be provided to the Away Club.
• 9.14 Any Club which plays matches or trains under floodlights at any time of the Season is required to provide lights of sufficient lux value so as to ensure the playing of the match or training session is safe. Illumination levels must be checked by a suitably qualified electrical engineer and recorded against the levels of light required for the standard of play and shall be not less than 600 lux in respect of televised Match and not less than 200 lux for all other competitive matches and 100 lux for training.
• 9.15 The Clubs are responsible for filming the matches and will make available the match footage to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited and the RFU as set out in the Minimum Operating Standards.

10. Medical Matters

• 10.1 Attendance of a Medical Practitioner for Players, the Referee and the Assistant Referees

  • (a) At all Matches two appropriately qualified medical practitioners as defined in the applicable minimum standards criteria document (as provided to the Clubs) must be present pitch side to attend to Players, the Referee and the Assistant Referees during the Match, at half-time and immediately after the Match, and in order to implement the World Rugby Head Injury Assessment Protocol. The World Rugby Head Injury Assessment Protocol and the World Rugby Core Mandatory Concussion Player Welfare Standards must be complied with fully.
    The Home Club and Away Club are each responsible for providing one appropriately qualified medical practitioner to ensure compliance with this Regulation. The Home Club and Away Club may by way of formal written agreement vary this responsibility with the agreement of Premier Women’s RugbyLimited. To be considered appropriately qualified as a medical practitioner they must be able to demonstrate that they: are fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC); possess the appropriate professional indemnity insurance; have successfully completed the level 2 Pre Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) course (or equivalent), which must be current and valid; and have completed all such World Rugby and/or RFU education modules as specified in Minimum Operating Standards (as provided to Clubs) or as specified by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited.
  • (b) If the Clubs are unable to provide two appropriately qualified medical practitioners for a Match in accordance with Regulation 10.1 (a) above, the Recognise and Remove Protocol (as provided to the Clubs) must operate for that Match. In the event of Clubs failing to comply with the provisions of Regulation 10.1 (a) above, the matter will be referred to Premier Women's Rugby Limited and the RFU to investigate further and to determine in their discretion any sanction for non-compliance, which may include sanctioning one or both Clubs as they consider appropriate.
  • (c) It is the responsibility of each home Club to provide for each Match a Video Reviewer (VR) who shall monitor and immediately advise the team Doctors of any head injury event seen using the real time video replay system. If a VR is not present, then the match should default to Recognise and Remove protocol. Each Club shall ensure that all relevant real time video replay equipment is available and in working order prior to each Match. If the equipment is not working the match should default to Recognise and Remove protocol.
  • (d) It is the responsibility of the Home Club to ensure that all other medical facilities and equipment as are defined in the applicable minimum standards criteria document (as provided to the Clubs) are available for the use of such qualified medical practitioners.
  • (e) It is the responsibility of each of the Clubs in a Match to ensure that appropriately qualified individuals (as set out in the Minimum Operation Standards) are present throughout the Match to attend to their respective Players and also, if necessary, to the Referee and the Assistant Referees.

• 10.2 Head Injuries

  • (a) Any Player who has suffered concussion or is suspected of having concussion in any match or training session must be managed according to World Rugby Medical Regulation 10, the World Rugby Head Injury Assessment Protocol including baseline and post-concussion testing in the WR SCRM app (or SCAT 6 where applicable), and post-concussion testing with ImPACT (or such other recognised psychometric test that the RFU’s Concussion Management Programme shall from time to time specify).
  • (b) The Professional Game Head Injury Assessment Review shall apply to Clubs and shall be provided to the Clubs in advance of the Season, except in the case of a Player who when participating in a match has not reached 19 years of age (in which case the Head Injury Assessment Review shall not apply).

• 10.3 Medical Minimum Standards Criteria

  All Clubs must comply with such medical minimum standards criteria issued by the RFU and Premier Women’s Rugby Limited and the RFU and Premier Women’s Rugby Limited shall be entitled to impose sanctions in respect of any non-compliance.

11. Finance

• 11.1 Each Club shall be responsible for its own travelling and accommodation expenses throughout the Competition.
• 11.2 The Home Club (including in the relevant semi-final and all Cup fixtures) bears all the costs of organising its Home Matches.
• 11.3 The Home Club (including in the relevant semi-final and all Cup fixtures) shall receive 100% of all gate receipts, vending receipts, food, beverage and hospitality receipts, programme and advertising receipts and any other income (other than that arising under any central commercial and/or sponsorship and/or broadcasting agreement).

12. Breaches of Regulations

• 12.1 Without prejudice to Regulation 12.2, the RFU has the power to investigate all allegations of foul play or misconduct on or off the field of play and shall be dealt with in accordance with RFU Regulation 19 and its appendices.

Enforcement of Regulations

• 12.2 Premier Women's Rugby Limited is responsible for enforcing these Regulations, except for those matters set out in Regulation 12.3.
• 12.3 The RFU is responsible for enforcing:
  • Regulations 5.1 to 5.3;
  • Regulations 5.6 to 5.17; and
  • Regulation 10.

Breaches of Regulations

• 12.4 Any matters alleged to be in breach of these Regulations shall be referred immediately to the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions); c/o Premier Women's Rugby Limited in writing or by telephone, if necessary, within 24 hours following the conclusion of a match. In any event written confirmation must be sent to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited within 48 hours of the conclusion of the match setting out the grounds of the complaint/breach in full.
• 12.5 The RFU Head of Discipline shall have the ability to refer (whether in their own discretion or as a result of referral pursuant to Regulation 12.4 above) any alleged breach of:
  • (i) any of the Regulations referred to in Regulation 12.3 and/or RFU Regulations to an RFU Disciplinary Panel; and
  • (ii) any of the Regulations other than those referred to in Regulation 12.3 to the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions), in each case, at any time before or after the conclusion of a match.
• 12.6 Subject to a right of appeal in accordance with RFU Regulation 19.13, the Disputes Committee (Professional Competitions)or, if determined by the RFU Head of Discipline, a RFU Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to discipline any Club, Player or other individual for breach of any of these Regulations and/or any RFU Regulations. Ignorance of these Regulations and/or the RFU Regulations will not be deemed an excuse in the event of breach.
• 12.7 The Disputes Committee(Professional Competitions) shall have jurisdiction to impose such penalty as it thinks fit including, but not limited to, financial sanctions, League Points deduction and suspension save that in relation to any breach of Regulation 5.3.1 to 5.3.3, the sanction process set out in Appendix 1 will apply. For the avoidance of doubt, this power shall include a power to impose any sanction which could be imposed for breach of any RFU Regulation which is equivalent to a breach of these regulations or for a breach of any other RFU Regulation.

13. Miscellaneous

Governing Law & Jurisdiction

• 13.1 These Regulations and any disputes or differences arising in relation to them shall be governed in all respects by English law.
• 13.2 Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Regulations (including any dispute or question about the existence or validity of these Regulations) shall be resolved in accordance with the RFU Regulations and decisions made pursuant to the RFU Regulations shall be final and binding on all Clubs, Players and other parties under the jurisdiction of these Regulations.

Good Faith

• 13.3 No Club, the RFU or Premier Women's Rugby Limited, either by itself, its members, Players, servants or agents, shall by any means whatsoever unfairly criticise, disparage, belittle or discredit any other Club, the Matches or the RFU or Premier Women's Rugby Limited or any of their respective Directors, officers, employees or agents.

Notices

• 13.4 Any notice required to be given or served under or in connection with these Regulations shall be in writing and:
  • (i) given to the RFU at its registered office for the time being or at such other address as it may notify in writing to Premier Women's Rugby Limited and the Clubs for such purpose;
  • (ii) given to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited at its registered office for the time being or at such other address as it may notify in writing to the Clubs and the RFU for such purpose;
  • (iii) given to a Club, its Officials and Players at that Club’s ground or at such other address as that Club may notify in writing to Premier Women's Rugby Limited and the RFU for such purpose.

Trophy

• 13.5 The Club declared the winner in accordance with these Regulations shall hold the trophy until no later than 31st March, unless another date is advised by Premier Women’s Rugby Limited, of the following season whereupon it must be returned to Premier Women’s Rugby Limited in good order and condition. Premier Women’s Rugby Limited reserves the right in its sole discretion to charge the Club holding the trophy at the relevant time for any loss or damage to the trophy.
• 13.6 Premier Women's Rugby Limited will present the trophy at the Final.

Application to the Cup Competition

• 13.7 The provisions of Appendix 5 will apply in respect of the Cup Competition.

Appendix 1 EQP Protocol

• 1. For the 2023-24 season, the EQP Requirement applies as detailed below. The EQP Protocol is supplemented by the EQP Application Document which sets out the process that a Club and Player must follow in order for a Player to be classified by the RFU as EQP.

League rounds - Qualification Period 1 and Qualification Period 2:

• 2. The EQP Requirement is an average across league round Matches, not a per Match requirement, whereby the Premiership Women’s Rugby season is split into two halves:
  • a. Qualification Period 1; and
  • b. Qualification Period 2.
• 3. Following Qualification Period 1, the match day EQP average for each club will be calculated. Those clubs not meeting the EQP Requirement across their match day EQP average in Qualification Period 1 will have 5 League Points deducted. This process will then be repeated for Qualification Period 2.
• 4. Clubs will be able to complete a player's EQP registration at any time during the season subject to following the process in the EQP Application Document and the Player being approved by the RFU as EQP. EQP status is applicable from the time of registration and can only be applied to calculating the EQP average ofthe qualification period that the registration was completed in i.e., should a player's EQP registration be completed in Qualification Period 2, their EQP status cannot be applied retrospectively to the EQP average calculated for Qualification Period 1.

Knock-Out Stage:

• 5. Clubs must have 13 EQP players in their match day squad for each Match in the Knock Out Stage.
• 6. Where Clubs are not able to select 13 EQP Players in their Match day squad for a Match in the Knock Out Stage due to injury or availability for reasons other than injury, they may seek dispensation from the RFU via a dispensation request which must be submitted to the RFU Rugby Events and Performance Competitions Department accompanied by appropriate evidence. Dual Registered Players must be utilised before applying for injury dispensation for any players in a Club’s 45-Player squad unless otherwise approved by the RFU.
• 7. If applying for a dispensation request, the following evidence must be provided as a minimum and the RFU reserves the right to request such further evidence from the Club as it considers appropriate:
  • a. medical evidence confirming injury to a particular Player or Players;
  • b. evidence as to why Dual Registered Players are not being used; and
  • c. Such other documentation and evidence as requested by the RFU.
• 8. For Matches in the Knock Out Stage, where teams do not meet the required EQP Requirement, or receive the relevant dispensation(s), the Match will be forfeited and will be awarded to the opposition.

Appendix 2 Place Kick Competition

If at the end of a semi-final or the final, after extra-time has been played, the scores remain equal and the number of tries scored in the Match is equal, then the referee will conduct a place-kick competition to determine the winner of the Match, according to the following procedures:

• • All Players and the Match Officials will remain on the playing area. The referee will call the captains of the two teams at the end of the match to the centre of the pitch and will conduct two coin tosses. The first toss of the coin will determine which team selects the end of the playing area at which all placekicks will be taken; the second toss of the coin will determine which team kicks first or second.
• • The Match Officials and the six nominated Players (3 from each side) will assemble on the halfway line. All other Players and team management must remain in the technical areas. No one other than the Match Officials and the participating Players are allowed in the playing area or behind the posts for the duration of the kicking competition.
• • Team A and Team B will each nominate 3 kickers from the Players on the pitch at the end of extra time to participate in the place kick competition.
• • Each kicker will be allocated a number i.e., Kicker 1, Kicker 2, or Kicker 3. This designation cannot change.
• • If during the place kick competition any of the 3 kickers becomes injured, they will be replaced by a Player who was on the pitch at the end of extra time.
• The first phase of the competition will consist of 6 kicks from 6 positions as outlined in the diagram below.
• Each kicker will take 2 kicks in the following order:-
  • ○ Kicker 1 from team A and Kicker 1 from team B will each take a kick from position 1.
  • ○ Kicker 2 from team A and Kicker 2 from team B will each take a kick from position 2.
  • ○ Kicker 3 from team A and Kicker 3 from team B will each take a kick from position 3.
  • ○ Kicker 1 from team A and Kicker 1 from team B will each take a kick from position 4.
  • ○ Kicker 2 from team A and Kicker 2 from team B will each take a kick from position 5.
  • ○ Kicker 3 from team A and Kicker 3 from team B will each take a kick from position 6.
• • If the teams are level at the end of the 6-kick competition, there will be a ‘sudden death competition’. All kicks will take place from position 4 and kicks will be taken in the following order:-
  • ○ First to kick will be Kicker 1 from each team.
  • ○ Second to kick will be Kicker 2 from each team.
  • ○ Third to kick will be Kicker 3 from each team.
  • Kicks will continue in this order until a point is reached where each team has taken the same number of sudden death kicks, but one team has scored one more than the other team. When this point is reached the team that has scored more successful kicks will be declared the winner.
• • For the avoidance of doubt the referee is the sole judge of whether a kick has been successful. In reaching this decision the Match Referee may rely on assistance from their assistant referees and/or Television match official.