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Regulations

15 Jul 2024 | 33 min

Regulation 14 – Adult Player Registration RFU Registration Process

Last Updated: 17 Nov 2024

.

Contents: 

1. Objective of Regulation

2. Scope of Regulation 14

3. Definitions

4. Eligibility Requirements

5. Effective Registration Process

6. Registration Documents

7. Loan and England Academy Players

8. General

Objective of Regulation

1. Regulation 14, along with Regulation 13, provides the framework for adult player registration which is mandatory for the Regulation 14 Rugby Activity. Mandatory player registration allows all stakeholders in the Game to better understand who is playing rugby, when, and for whom, whilst also enabling as much rugby to be played as possible. Fundamentally, the RFU wishes to digitise the registration process, (as it has done already for Age Grade rugby), so that it is easier, quicker, and reduces volunteer burden. In doing so, it will form the digital backbone of the Game’s transformation and give players greater control of their own data. The term ‘affiliation’ will no longer be used.

Scope of Regulation 14

2. This Regulation applies to the Players set out below, which together shall be defined as the ‘Regulation 14 Rugby Activity’:

  • a. Men’s Premiership, Championship, England Academies and National League Rugby players (including if representing the first XV or lower XV team(s) of the Club at Men’s Counties 2 and above);
  • b. Premiership Women’s Rugby and PDG players (including if representing the first XV or lower XV team(s) of the Club at Women's National Challenge 1 and above);
  • c. Any Contracted Player, including those who become Contracted during the Season, irrespective at the level in which they play and also including Overseas Players who are Contracted. For the avoidance of doubt, if a player participates in Regulation 13 Rugby Activity, but is nonetheless a Contracted Player, they must use the RFU Registration Process set out in RFU Regulation 14;
  • d. Loan Players; and
  • e. Student Pass and Service Pass Players.

3. Save as set out in paragraph 2 above, this Regulation 14 does not apply to any Players captured by the Club Registration Process set out in RFU Regulation 13 including Players that play in teams participating in the following:

  • a. Women’s leagues at Championship 1 (formerly level 2) and below;
  • b. Men’s leagues at Regional 1 (formerly level 5) and below;
  • c. All other Regulation 13 Rugby Activity for which the Player may be eligible including:
    • i. Contact Club Rugby at Merit Tables and below; and
    • ii. Non-Contact Club Rugby with effect from 1 April 2025;
    • iii. Club Cup Competitions involving teams at Regional 1 and below;
    • iv. Higher Education Teams participating in Contact Rugby; and
    • v. Services Teams participating in Contact Rugby.

4. This Regulation does not apply to any players participating in Age Grade Rugby in respect of which the player registration process set out in RFU Regulation 15 applies. In respect of Age Grade Players wishing to participate in adult rugby, the Players must use the playing adult rugby process in RFU Regulation 15 as well as (if applicable) the RFU Registration Process set out in this RFU Regulation 14. Once an Age Grade Player has reached 18 years old and wishes to participate in adult rugby (and specifically Regulation 14 Rugby Activity), the process set out in RFU Regulation 14 will apply.

Definitions

5. For the purposes of this Regulation,

  • a. ‘Club’ means for the purposes of this Regulation, all voting and non-voting member clubs of the RFU, Higher Education Team or Services Team whose teams participate in the Regulation 14 Rugby Activity;
  • b. ‘Club Registration Process’ means the player-led process prescribed by the RFU pursuant to which a Player becomes Registered (as defined in RFU Regulation 13) to participate in Regulation 13 Rugby Activity;
  • c. ‘Contact Rugby’ as defined in RFU Regulation 13;
  • d. ‘Contracted Players’ means a Player who has a Contract with any Club in respect of playing rugby regardless of whether the Club or Player is eligible for Regulation 13 Rugby Activity pursuant to RFU Regulation 13 or Regulation 14 Rugby Activity pursuant to RFU Regulation 14;
  • e. ‘Cup Competitions’ means any knock out competition for which a Club, Higher Education Team or Services Team may be eligible;
  • f. ‘Effective Date’ means as defined in RFU Regulation 1;
  • g. ‘Effective Registration’ means the RFU Registration Process which a Club and Player must follow in order for a Player to be eligible for Regulation 14 Rugby Activity for that Club. ‘Effectively Registered’ will be construed accordingly;
  • h. ‘Loan Player’ a Player (other than an England Academy Player) who is loaned or transferred from one Club to another Club upon written terms (either a signed copy of the Player’s written Contract with their loaning Club if a Contracted Player or a written loan agreement signed by the Player and both Clubs) which entitles the Club (or Academy associated with that Club) making the loan or from whom the Player was transferred to require the Player to return to that Club at any time in the future;
  • i. ‘Non-Contracted Players’ means players who are not Contracted Players;
  • j. ‘Overseas Players’ any Player playing the Game for any team in any Union other than the RFU;
  • k. ‘Player’ shall be defined as all players participating in the Regulation 14 Rugby Activity;
  • l. ‘PWR Dual Registered Players’ means players who are Effectively Registered with a Professional Women Rugby (PWR) club but also confirmed by the RFU to be dual registered with another club pursuant to paragraph 20 below;
  • m. ‘Registration Date’ means as defined in RFU Regulation 1;
  • n. ‘RFU Registration Process’ means the RFU led process prescribed in RFU Regulation 14 and on GMS pursuant to which a Player becomes Effectively Registered to participate in Regulation 14 Rugby Activity;
  • o. ‘Regulation 13 Rugby Activity’ as defined in RFU Regulation 13;
  • p. ‘Services Team’ means a unit, establishment, air station, ship, base, Battalion, Regiment or Corps or any other recognised military establishment or grouping within His Majesties Armed Forces;
  • q. ‘Services Player’ means an individual who holds a current Ministry of Defence Form 90 of identification and who is authorised to play rugby by their commanding officer or equivalent;
  • r. ‘Student Player’ means a player who is part of a Higher Education establishment that has a recognised Rugby Union offering;
  • s. ‘Waiting Period’ means as set out in RFU Regulation 1.

6. All other definitions shall have the meanings set out in RFU Regulation 1.

Eligibility Requirements

7. A Club can only select, and a Player can only represent a Club in the Regulation 14 Rugby Activity if the Player is Effectively Registered for the Club team participating in the Regulation 14 Rugby Activity in accordance with the process set out in this RFU Regulation 14.

8. Club Registration pursuant to RFU Regulation 13 does not render the Player Effectively Registered and eligible for Club teams participating in Regulation 14 Rugby Activity.

9. RFU Registration pursuant to RFU Regulation 14 does render the Player Eligible to Regulation 13 Rugby Activity subject to the provisions of RFU Regulation 13.

10. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the provisions of this RFU Regulation 14 will apply to players participating in both the men and women’s Regulation 14 Rugby Activity.

Effective Registration Process

11. A Player must be resident in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands and must hold Effective Registration in accordance with this Regulation 14 in order to eligible to represent a Club in Regulation 14 Rugby Activity.

12. A Player will have Effective Registration in accordance with these Regulations with a Club if:

  • (a) they were Effectively Registered with that Club at the beginning of the Season; or
  • (b) their application for registration has been accepted either by the Registrar or through the RFU Registration Process and the Waiting Period has elapsed,

in each case subject to any subsequent loss or invalidity of such registration pursuant to the other provisions of these Regulations and 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 Effective Registration may be void and invalid from the date of initial registration).

13. Other than as set out in paragraph 14 below, a Club must apply for a Player to become Effectively Registered before the Transfer Deadline.

14. A Club may only apply for a Player to become Effectively Registered after the Transfer Deadline if they are either:

  • (a) already Registered with the Club at Men’s Counties 2 and above and Women's National Challenge 1 and above pursuant to RFU Regulation 13 and have already registered for Regulation 14 Rugby Activity pursuant to these Regulations;
  • (b) a Permitted Player (as defined in RFU Regulation 1); or
  • (c) an England Academy Player, and subject to paragraph 48(c) and (d); or
  • (d) a Loan Player seeking Effective Registration to return to the Club which loaned them or loaned pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 16(d) below (but in each case excluding players loaned to a club in any other Union); or
  • (e) sixteen years old prior to the Transfer Deadline and turns seventeen after the Transfer Deadline and is entitled to register for the first time; or
  • (f) 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 Competition’s 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; or
  • (g) Student Pass Players and Services Pass Players, provided they comply with the RFU’s Student and Services Pass process in all respects and are approved by the RFU for a Student or Services pass; or
  • (h) approved by the RFU Discipline and Governance Director to be Effectively Registered following the resolution of a dispute;
  • (i) approved by the RFU Discipline and Governance Director in exceptional circumstances only as determined in their sole discretion.

15. The Registrar may process an application for registration of a Player after the Transfer Deadline as long as it is supported by evidence that the Player falls within paragraph 14 above. In such a case, the Registrar may apply the Waiting Period which would have applied if the application had been made before the Transfer Deadline.

Men’s Rugby

16. A Player (but excluding an England Academy Player), may:

  • (a) not hold Effective Registration with more than one Club at any one time; and
  • (b) not hold Effective Registration with more than three (3) Clubs in any Season; and
  • (c) in respect of Loan Players loaned between Clubs at Championship and below, not hold Effective Registration with the same Club more than three (3) times after the opening day of the Season. When counting the number of consecutive Effective Registrations a Loan Player has held, the Player’s Effective Registration with that Club on the first day of the Season shall not count providing the player has not been the subject of a transfer during the Season; and
  • (d) in respect of Loan Players loaned between Clubs at Premiership and Championship, move freely between 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 the subject of a transfer during the Season.

17. It is the responsibility of the Club which the Player registers with to have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the player is compliant with RFU Regulation 14.

18. An England Academy Player is permitted to simultaneously hold at any one time Effective Registration with up to four different clubs as follows: one Club at Premiership, two Clubs at Championship where one of the Championship Clubs is also an England Rugby Academy (as defined in the Championship Regulations, (otherwise just one Club at Championship), one Club at National 1 League, and subject to paragraph 47(b) one Club at National 2 League, one Club at Regional 1 or one Club at Regional 2.

Women’s Rugby

19. A Player may:

  • (a) not hold Effective Registration with more than one Club at any one time; and
  • (b) not hold Effective Registration with more than three (3) Clubs in any Season,
  • save that the above will not apply in respect of those players registered pursuant to paragraphs 20, 21 and 23 below.

20. Players are permitted to simultaneously hold Effective Registration with both a PWR club and another club in Championship 1 or below provided they comply with the RFU’s process for the dual registration of players in all respects and any such players are defined as ‘PWR Dual Registered Players’. A club is not permitted to have more than 15 PWR Dual Registered Players at any one time and any such players will not be included in any registration cap applicable to the PWR competition.

21. Players who are members of the GB Sevens squad will be permitted to be registered with PWR clubs with the approval of the RFU and any such players will not be included in any registration cap applicable to the PWR competition.

All Players

22. An Age Grade player will not automatically assume Effective Registration as an adult Player until that Player completes an Adult Registration form and serves the relevant Waiting Period.

23. A Student Pass Player and Service Pass Player is permitted to simultaneously hold at any one time Effective Registration with two clubs provided they comply with the RFU’s Student and Service Pass process in all respects and are approved by the RFU for a Student or Service Pass prior to the Transfer Deadline.

Requirement for Effective Registration

24. The Player Register shall be maintained by the RFU and is the only and conclusive evidence of a Player’s Effective Registration on any particular date.

25. A Club may register up to the following number of Players:

  • • PWR Clubs: 45 Players plus up to 15 Dual Registered Players
  • • Premiership Clubs: 100 Players
  • • Men’s Championship Clubs: 100 Players
  • • Women’s Clubs at Championship 1 and below: unlimited
  • • Men’s Clubs at National 1 League (formerly Level 3) and below: unlimited

Where a Club has reached its limit, no further applications will be accepted until the Club has de- registered sufficient Players and those Players have completed their 24-hour de-registration period. A Player is not Effectively Registered until the Effective Date.

26. The Player’s current Club may object to the Player being Effectively Registered with another Club where:

  • (a) the Player has a Contract with the current Club;
  • (b) the Player is being disciplined under RFU Rule 5.12;
  • (c) the Player owes money to the current Club.

Any such objection must be submitted in writing to the Registrar stating all the grounds upon which the objection is made within 7 days of being notified of the proposed transfer. In the absence of any objection, or such objections being overruled, the Player will be Effectively Registered once the Waiting Period has elapsed.

27. At the end of the Season: (a) a Loan Player shall automatically be Effectively Registered with their loaning/parent Club and shall cease to be a Loan Player; and (b) a Student Pass Player and Services Pass Player shall automatically be Effectively Registered with their Home Club and shall cease to be a Services Pass Player and Student Pass Player.

28. A Club must ensure that the information held on the Player Register about its Effectively Registered Players is accurate and up to date. A Club which has obtained Effective Registration of a Player must notify the RFU of any changes to the information originally supplied in connection with that Player within 14 days of becoming aware of such change and, where appropriate, must apply for de- registration of Players in accordance with paragraph 62.

29. The RFU:

  • (a) shall not grant its consent to the issue of a Clearance (as defined in World Rugby Regulations) for a Player where that Player is under suspension on disciplinary grounds (which, for the avoidance doubt, includes any offence under RFU Regulation 20), unless such suspension is for a period of five weeks or less and the new Union has confirmed in writing that a suspension for an equal period of the balance of the suspension will be imposed on the Player in the competition(s) for which the new Union is to register them; and
  • (b) may refuse to grant its consent to the issue of a Clearance for a Player where that Player has not fulfilled any of their obligations under the terms of their Contract with their Club, the RFU and/or a Constituent Body.

30. To apply for Effective Registration, a Club must confirm the player’s identity with a passport or driver’s license and determine if they are currently registered with another club and then submit the completed Player Registration Form with the requisite Application Documents described at paragraph 42 to the relevant Registrar within 28 days of the signature of the registration Form by the Player.

31. Only one application for registration of a Player may be operative at any one time. If any application is received from a different Club for registration of the same Player during their Waiting Period for Effective Registration with another Club, the subsequent application shall be invalid.

32. A Club applying for registration of a Player already Effectively Registered for another Club must on the same day as submitting its application serve on that Club a Notification of Transfer Form unless the Player’s current Club has provided a release. The Registrar may request evidence of the Notification of Transfer Form being served on the current Club and failure to produce such evidence forthwith and in any event within 72 hours of it being requested will result in the withdrawal of the application for registration.

33. For all applications (regardless of how they are submitted), the Registration and Application Documents must be fully and accurately completed and dated. The Club must retain the confirmation of Registration and copies of such other Application Documents (to include any Notification of Transfer form) for at least one year.

34. On receipt of the Registration Form and the Application Documents the Registrar will:

  • (a) check the Registration Form, and the Application Documents to ensure that they are properly signed, submitted within 28 days of signature, complete and that all requisite registration requirements (as set out in paragraph 42) have been met;
  • (b) check that no other application for registration is pending for the Player and that there is no other reason that the Player should not be registered; and
  • (c) carry out any necessary checks with the RFU.

35. Provided that the checks outlined in paragraph 34 are completed to the satisfaction of the Registrar, the Registrar will accept the application for registration (the Registration Date) and calculate the Waiting Period and the Effective Date. The Registrar shall enter the pending registration on the Player Register, including the status of the Player as “pending”, the Effective Date and the Application Documents received.

36. Where the Registrar is unable to approve a Registration or the Application Documents, the Registrar will reject the application and notify the Club that the application is incomplete and, where possible, request further information needed to progress the application.

Expedited Registration

37. Where a Club wants to achieve Effective Registration for a Player in a period of less than 7 days, it must provide the Registrar with the following by no later than 12 noon on a Friday (in respect of Saturday and Sunday matches) or no later than 12 noon on the day before the match (in respect of mid-week matches):

  • (a) the Registration Form and the relevant Application Documents; and
  • (b) confirmation of payment to the RFU of the non-refundable amount of £45 and copies of the Registration Form and Application Documents as soon as possible and no later than 7 days from the Effective Date (if such application is accepted); and
  • (c) where a Player is Effectively Registered with one Club and transferring to another Club, written confirmation from the former Club to the applicant Club that they consent to the Player being released with immediate effect.

38. Subject to the Registrar’s agreement, a Club may use any medium to provide the documents to the Registrar.

39. Provided that the Registrar accepts the application in line with paragraph 35 above, the Effective Registration will take place at such time as the Registrar may agree and advise by no later than 4pm on the day before the match.

Returning Players

40. Where a Club is applying for Effective Registration of a Player who has during the Season previously been Effectively Registered with that Club, the Club may be required to pay a re-registration fee of £500 (by such method as the Registrar shall require) unless:

  • (a) the Club is seeking Effective Registration for a Loan Player who has a Contract with the Club or who is seeking to be registered as a Loan Player with the Club;
  • (b) the Player has not been Effectively Registered at another Club since their last Effective Registration with the Club; or
  • (c) the Registrar is satisfied (after appropriate consultation with the Committee) that it would be inappropriate to charge a fee as there is a bona fide reason for the Player wishing to re-register with the Club.

General

41. All information supplied in connection with an application for registration must be true and accurate. The provision of false, misleading or inaccurate information may result in the matter being investigated by the RFU Discipline and Governance Director.

Registration Documents

All Players

42. A Club must provide the following Registration Documents:

  • (a) completed Effective Registration Form (including the certificate of the Player’s residence, passport and visa if applicable) signed within the 28 days prior to submission to the Registrar;
  • (b) the Notification of Transfer Form (if any);
  • (c) the documents set out below in this paragraph 42 for the Player in respect of each applicable category of Player into which they fall;
  • (d) any proof of residence subsequently requested by the Registrar;
  • (f) where a Player is under Contract with one Club and transferring to another Club, written confirmation from the former Club that they consent to the Player being released;
  • (g) in respect of all Players coming to England from Overseas a Clearance from the player’s Current Union;
  • (h) Such other documentation as may be requested by the RFU including in relation to a Student or Service Pass application.

Amateur Players

43. The Amateur Declaration section within the Registration Form must be completed in respect of an application for registration of a Player who is not a Contracted Player at the time of registration.

Contracted Players - All Levels

44. The following documents must be submitted to the Registrar in respect of an application for registration of a Contracted Player (including a Contracted Overseas Player) or a Player who will be Contracted to the Club upon Effective Registration:

  • (a) evidence that the Player may be Effectively Registered with the applicant Club (i.e. evidence that any previous Contract has expired or that the other party to it consents to the application for registration or other evidence satisfactory to the Registrar);
  • (b) the Contract and/or the Contract Information Form, as stipulated by the Registrar; and
  • (c) when a Player enters into or is renewing an agreement with a Club (or if centrally contracted, with a Home Union) and an Agent has been acting for either the Player or the Club/Union, all parties including the Player, the Club and the Agent (where applicable) must sign the separate agent declaration form that accompanies the Player’s agreement and must submit to the RFU, Premiership Rugby Limited or Registrar together with the Registration Documents.

Loan and England Academy Players

Men’s Rugby – Loan Players

45. An application for Effective Registration of a Loan Player will not be accepted where: (a) in respect of Clubs at Championship and below, the applicant Club is more than two Levels below the level of the loaning/parent Club; and (b) in respect of Clubs in the Premiership the applicant Club is more than one Level below the level of the loaning/parent Club. This does not apply to Loan Players who are being loaned to a Club in the Levels above the loaning/parent Club, subject to paragraph 16.

46. An application for Effective Registration of a Loan Player must be accompanied by evidence in writing of the terms of the loan, including the start date and end date, if the Player is Contracted with their parent Club, and signed by the Player and both clubs in a form approved by the RFU.

Men’s Rugby – England Academy Players

47. An application for Effective Registration of an England Academy Player must be accompanied by:

  • (a) the written approval of the Academy Manager of the Club of whose Academy the England Academy Player is a member; and
  • (b) for Effective Registration with a Club at men’s National 2 League (formerly Level 4) and below in all cases, or for a Club at men’s National 1 League (formerly Level 3) after the Transfer Deadline, written consent on the form prescribed by the RFU from the RFU Regional Academies lead and the RFU Director of Discipline and Governance.

Men’s Rugby – Loan Players and England Academy Players in a Match Day Squad

48. A Club may not play or select as a replacement or substitute in a Match more than the number of Players set out below:

  • (a) Premiership: no more than three Loan Players and unlimited England Academy Players under the age of 24 as at 1 September 2024.
  • (b) Championship: no more than three Loan Players and no more than ten England Academy Players under the age of 24 as at 1 September 2024.
  • (c) National 1 League (formerly Level 3): no more than three Loan Players and no more than six England Academy Players under the age of 24 as at 1 September 2024. After the Transfer Deadline, only those England Academy Players who have already played or been selected as a replacement or substitute in a League or Cup Match for the Club’s first XV prior to the Transfer Deadline will be permitted to be selected in a League or Cup Match for the Club’s first XV, unless otherwise approved by the RFU Regional Academies lead and the RFU Director of Discipline and Governance.
  • (d) National 2 League (formerly Level 4) and below: four players from another Club of which no more than three shall be Loan Players and the others (up to the maximum of four) must be England Academy Players under the age of 24 as at 1 September 2024. After the Transfer Deadline, only those England Academy Players who have already played or been selected as a replacement or substitute in a League or Cup Match for the Club’s first XV prior to the Transfer Deadline will be permitted to be selected in a League or Cup Match for the Club’s first XV, unless otherwise approved by the RFU Regional Academies lead and the RFU Director of Discipline and Governance.

Women’s Rugby – Loan Players including Loan Players in a match day squad

49. An application for Effective Registration of a Loan Player must be accompanied by evidence in writing of the terms of the loan, including the start date and end date, if the Player is Contracted with their parent Club, and signed by the Player and both clubs in a form approved by the RFU.

50. Save as set out in paragraph 51 below, Loan Players may not hold Effective Registration with the same Club more than three (3) times after the opening day of the Season. When counting the number of consecutive Effective Registrations a Loan Player has held, the Player’s Effective Registration with that Club on the first day of the Season shall not count providing the player has not been subject of a transfer during the Season, irrespective of the number of times they have been loaned to a different club.

51. In respect of Loan Players loaned between PWR Clubs 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.

52. No side can play more than three Loan players in any match day squad.

53. A player playing at a lower level can be loaned upwards to any Club at any level.

54. A player other than a PWR player can be loaned down to a Club up to 2 levels lower in the league structure.

55. A PWR player can be loaned between PWR Clubs, and otherwise can only be loaned down to a Club in Championship 1, Championship 2 or National Challenge 1 (Level 4).

All Overseas Players – Men and Women’s Rugby

56. Applications for Effective Registration at men’s Premiership to National 2 League (formerly Levels 1 to 4) and women’s level 1 or a contracted player at men’s Regional 1 (formerly Level 5) and below or women’s Level 2 and below, where the player last played in another Union, must be accompanied by Clearance from that Union. Non-contracted Players wishing to register for a club at men’s Regional 1 (formerly Level 5) and below or women’s Level 2 and below are not required to provide a copy of the Clearance when making an application for registration.

57. An application for Effective Registration with a Club in men’s National 2 League (formerly Level 4) or above or women’s level 1 of a person who was an Overseas Player at the time of:

  • (a) previously having been Registered with a Club at men’s Regional 1 (formerly Level 5) or below or women’s Level 2 and below; or
  • (b) playing for a Club or team which does not require RFU Registration,
  • (“a former Overseas Player”) must be accompanied by clearance from that Player’s former Union to participate in the Game under the jurisdiction of the RFU.

Players who were not born in the UK

58. Evidence by way of a permit visa or other authority that such person is entitled to receive payment or other benefit from participating in or playing the Game must accompany an application for Effective Registration of a Player who was not born in the UK and who will either be contracted, receive a Material Benefit or will play at men’s Premiership to National 2 League (formerly Levels 1 to 4) or women Level 1. Visas or permits which give consent to play rugby football as an amateur are not sufficient.

59. In addition, where the Club is situated in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man (and therefore subject to different immigration regulations) the application for Effective Registration must be accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the RFU that the Player meets the requirements for a permit, visa or other authority from the UK Home Office to play at the Level at which the Club participates.

60. An application for Effective Registration by a Club at men’s Regional 1 (formerly Level 5) and below or women’s Level 2 and below for an amateur Player who was not born in the UK does not need to be accompanied by immigration documents unless specifically requested by the Registrar.

61. An application for Effective Registration by a Club at men’s Regional 1 (formerly Level 5) and below or women’s Level 2 and below for a Contracted Player who was not born in the UK needs to be accompanied by the evidence set out at paragraphs 58 and 59 above.

General

De-Registration

62. A Player (other than a contracted Player) or Club may request deregistration of a Player’s Effective Registration to that Club by following the process set out on GMS.

63. No application for de-registration may be withdrawn during the 24-hour de-registration period. For the avoidance of doubt, an application for Effective Registration may be made in respect of the Player by another Club during that period which, if accepted, will be effective at the end of the Waiting Period.

Loss of Effective Registration

64. A Player will cease to have Effective Registration with a Club immediately:

  • (a) upon being Effectively Registered with another Club;
  • (b) upon expiry of 24 hours following a valid application for de-registration;
  • (c) following a valid application for formal consent, registration or other approval to play for any team in or under the control of a Union other than the RFU;
  • (d) if their Effective Registration is cancelled or suspended by the Committee or relevant Organising Committee;
  • (e) upon the expiry of any work permit visa or other permit or consent required by law unless they are an Overseas Player registered with a Club at men’s Regional 1 (formerly Level 5) and below or women’s Level 2 and below who has a properly completed Amateur Declaration in a form prescribed by the RFU lodged with the Registrar on or before the date of the expiry of the said work permit visa or other permit or consent required by law.
  • (f) where a Player enters a Contract or receives a Material Benefit and the terms of their permit or visa do not permit them to receive payment of other Material Benefit from participating in the Game;
  • (g) where they are an Overseas Player seeking registration at a Club at men’s Regional 1 (formerly Level 5) and below or women’s Level 2 and below and their Current Union refuses to grant clearance or any consent or clearance is withdrawn;
  • (h) where they are an Overseas Player registered with a Club at men’s Regional 1 (formerly Level 5) and below or women’s Level 2 and below and they enter a Contract or receive a Material Benefit without Clearance from their Current Union;
  • (i) where they are a former Overseas Player and their Club is promoted to men’s National 2 League (formerly Level 4) or approved for/promoted to women’s Level 1 and they do not have the requisite Clearance to play for such Club from their Current Union;
  • (j) where a Player playing for a men’s Club at Regional 1 (formerly Level 5) and below and the Club is promoted to National 2 League (formerly Level 4) and the terms of their permit or visa do not permit them to play for a Club at National 2 League;
  • (k) where a player playing for a women’s Club at Level 2 and below and the Club is approved for/promoted to Level 1 and the terms of their permit or visa do not permit them to play for a Club at Level 1;
  • (l) where they were not born in the EU and are playing for a Club situated in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man which is promoted to men’s National 2 League (formerly Level 4) or above or is approved for/promoted to women’s Level 1 and the Club has not produced evidence satisfactory to the RFU that the Player meets the requirements for a permit, visa or other authority from the UK Home Office to play at the Level at which the Club participates in RFU Competitions;
  • (m) where a Club has failed to update the RFU with changes to the Player’s details as required by RFU Regulation 14;
  • (n) pending the outcome of a disciplinary case and/or if subject to sanction in accordance with RFU Regulations;
  • (o) if the RFU Discipline and Governance Director considers it necessary and reasonable to suspend or cancel a Player’s Registration for any other reason not covered above.

65. A Player will cease to have Effective Registration with a Club at the end of the Season if they are a Loan Player who is returning to their loaning/parent Club.

66. A Player’s Effective Registration will be void and invalid as at the Effective Date where the Club in making the Player’s application for Effective Registration supplied false, inaccurate or misleading information or forged any signature on any registration Form or Application Document.

Disputes

67. Any dispute on the application or interpretation of this RFU Regulation 14 must be referred to the relevant Registrar in writing stating the grounds for the objection or dispute.

68. If a dispute is not resolved within 7 days of receipt of the complaint under paragraph 67 above, the Club or Player may submit the original complaint in writing to the RFU Discipline and Governance Director.

69. Any bona fide dispute regarding a Player’s Effective Registration that is referred to the relevant Registrar before the applicable Transfer Deadline, and which is not resolved until after the applicable Transfer Deadline, may on request, be referred to the RFU Registrar and the RFU Discipline and Governance Director. The RFU Discipline and Governance Director may decide in exceptional circumstances to allow that Player to hold Effective Registration with another club after the Transfer Deadline has passed.

Breaches of Regulations

70. All alleged breaches must be referred to the League Secretary, Regional Organising Committee or the RFU Discipline and Governance Director as applicable (or such individuals to whom they may delegate) as soon as possible upon the individual becoming aware of the potential breach and any breaches will be dealt with in accordance with RFU Regulation 19 or such other provisions as may be set out in any applicable Competition Regulations.

71. The Organising Committee (as applicable) and the RFU has the power to investigate, bring disciplinary action and impose sanctions in respect of any breaches of these Regulations and may impose such sanction as it deems appropriate, unless of a fixed sanction is stipulated in RFU Regulation 6, Appendix 4 or in the applicable Competition Regulations save that in respect of the period up until and including 30 September 2024, the Organising Committee (as applicable) and the RFU may in their absolute discretion suspend a portion of the sanction if they consider that there are sufficiently evidenced mitigating circumstances.

General

72. The Committee may delegate its powers under this Regulation (other than those under paragraphs 70, 71, 73 and 74) to any committee, Organising Committee, League Organiser, Division, Constituent Body or other company, person, association, group, body or committee.

73. During the Season the Committee may in its sole discretion rectify any error or omission in this RFU Regulation 14 which comes to its attention.

74. The Committee shall have the discretion to decide upon any matter not provided for in this RFU Regulation 14 and upon its interpretation. The Committee’s decision shall be final and binding.

75. In the event that any provision of this RFU Regulation 14 is found by any Court or competent authority to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part that provision shall be deemed not to form part of this Regulation and the legality, validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Regulation shall not be affected.

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