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LAW: 3.12 TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT – HEAD INJURY ASSESSMENT

If, at any point during a match , a player is concussed or has suspected concussion, that player must be immediately and permanently removed from the field of play. This is known as “Recognise and Remove”. In elite adult matches only, which have been approved in advance by World Rugby (pursuant to Regulations 10.1.4 and 10.1.5) for use of the Head Injury Assessment and this temporary replacement procedure , a player who is to have a Head Injury Assessment:
—Must leave the field of play; and
— Shall be temporarily replaced (even if all of the substitutes/replacements have been used).

This is to allow for the assessment of a player where it is not immediately apparent if the player has concussion or suspected concussion and should be permanently removed from the field of play.

Where such a player has been temporarily replaced:

  • (a) If that player is not presented to a match official on the touchline within ten minutes (actual time) of leaving the field of play to undergo the Head Injury Assessment , the replacement will automatically become permanent and the replaced player is not allowed to return to the field of play.
  • (b) If the temporary replacement takes place within the ten minutes before half-time , the replacement shall become permanent unless the replaced player returns to the field of play immediately at the start of the second-half.
  • (c) The temporary replacement can be temporarily replaced if the player requires a Head Injury Assessment (even if all of the replacements have been used).
  • (d) If the temporary replacement is ordered off the field for foul play , the replaced player shall not be allowed to return to the field of play , except in accordance with Law 3.5 (The Front Row – Replacements and Substitutions) and Law 3.14 (Substituted Players Rejoining The Match) , and only if the player has been medically cleared to do so and is presented to a match official on the touchline within ten minutes (actual time) of leaving the field of play to undergo the Head Injury Assessment.
  • (e) If the temporary replacement is cautioned and temporarily suspended , the replaced player is not permitted to return to the field of play until after the period of suspension , except in accordance with Law 3.5 (The Front Row – Replacements and Substitutions) and Law 3.14 (Substituted Players Rejoining The Match) , and only if the player has been medically cleared to do so and is presented to a match official on the touchline within ten minutes (actual time) of leaving the field of play to undergo the Head Injury Assessment.