Law 1

Question 1

Definitions: the ground

Answer 1

The ground is the total area shown in the plan, the ground includes the field of play, the playing area, the playing enclosure, in-goal, and the 22.

Question 2

Definitions: the field of play

Answer 2

The Field of play is the area between the goal lines and the touchlines. These lines are not part of the field of play.

Question 3

Definitions: the playing area

Answer 3

The Playing Area is the field of play and the in-goal areas (as shown on the plan). The touchlines, touch-in-goal lines and dead ball lines are not part of the playing area.

Question 4

Definitions: the playing enclosure

Answer 4

The Playing Enclosure is the playing area and a space around it, not less than 5 metres where practicable, which is known as the perimeter area.

Question 5

Definitions: in-goal

Answer 5

In-goal is the area between the goal line and the dead ball line, and between the touch-in-goal lines. It includes the goal line but it does not include the dead ball line or the touch-in-goal lines.

Question 6

Definitions: the 22

Answer 6

‘The 22’ is the area between the goal line and the 22-metre line, including the 22-metre line but excluding the goal line.

Question 7

1.1

Answer 7

Surface of the playing enclosure

Question 8

1.1 (a)

Answer 8

Requirement. The surface must be safe to play on at all times.

Question 9

1.1 (b)

Answer 9

Type of surface. The surface should be grass but may also be sand, clay, snow or artificial grass. The game may be played on snow, provided the snow and underlying surface are safe to play on. It shall not be a permanently hard surface such as concrete or asphalt. In the case of artificial grass surfaces, they must conform to World Rugby Regulation 22.

Question 10

1.2

Answer 10

Required dimensions for the playing enclosure

Question 11

1.2 (a)

Answer 11

Dimensions. The field of play does not exceed 100 metres in length. Each in-goal does not exceed 22 metres in length. The playing area does not exceed 70 metres in width.

Question 12

1.2 (b)

Answer 12

The length and breadth of the playing area are to be as near as possible to the dimensions indicated. All the areas are rectangular.

Question 13

1.2 (c)

Answer 13

The distance from the goal line to the dead ball line will preferably be not less than 10 metres.

Question 14

1.2 (d)

Answer 14

In respect of: (i) Matches between the senior national representative team or the next senior national representative team of a Union against the senior or next senior national representative team of another Union; and
(ii) International seven-a-side matches;
the dimensions should be as close to the maximum sizes as possible, and not less than 94 metres in length for the field of play, 68 metres in width, and with a minimum in-goal length of 6 metres. Unions wishing to vary minimum or maximum dimensions should apply for dispensation to World Rugby.

Question 15

1.2 (e)

Answer 15

The perimeter area should not be less than 5 metres where practicable.

Question 16

1.3

Answer 16

Lines on the playing enclosure

Question 17

1.3 (a)

Answer 17

Solid lines
The dead ball lines and touch-in-goal lines, both of which are outside the in-goal areas;
The goal lines, which are within the in-goal areas but outside the field of play;
The 22-metre lines; which are parallel to the goal lines
The half way line which is parallel to the goal lines; and
The touchlines which are outside the field of play.

Question 18

1.3 (b)

Answer 18

Dash lines
All lines other than solid lines are dash lines all of which are 5 metres in length.
There are two sets of dash lines which are 10 metres from, and parallel to, each side of the half way line. These are called the 10 metre dash lines. The 10 metre dash lines intersect the dash lines which are 5 metres and 15 metres parallel to each touch line.
There are two sets of dash lines which are 5 metres from, and parallel to, each touch line. They run from the 5 metre dash lines, which are parallel to each goal line and intersect both 22 metre lines, both 10 metre dash lines and the half way line. These are called the 5 metre dash lines.
There are two sets of dash lines which are 15 metres from, and parallel to, each touch line. These dash lines run from the 5 metre dash lines which are parallel to each goal line, and intersect both 22 metre lines, both 10 metre dash lines and the half way line. These are called the 15 metre dash lines.
There are six dash lines 5 metres from, and parallel to, each goal line. Two dash lines are positioned 5 metres and 15 metres from each touch line. A further two dash lines are positioned in front of each goal post so that there is 5 metres between these dash lines.

Question 19

1.3 (c)

Answer 19

Centre

There is one line 0.5 metre long that intersects the centre of the half way line

Question 20

1.4

Answer 20

Dimensions for goal posts and crossbar

Question 21

1.4 (a)

Answer 21

The distance between the two goal posts is 5.6 metres.

Question 22

1.4 (b)

Answer 22

The crossbar is placed between the two goal posts so that its top edge is 3.0 metres from the ground

Question 23

1.4 (c)

Answer 23

The minimum height of the goal posts is 3.4 metres.

Question 24

1.4 (d)

Answer 24

When padding is attached to the goal posts the distance from the goal line to the external edge of the padding must not exceed 300mm.

Question 25

1.5

Answer 25

Flag posts

Question 26

1.5 (a)

Answer 26

There are 14 flag posts with flags, each with a minimum height of 1.2 meters above the ground.

Question 27

1.5 (b)

Answer 27

Flag posts must be positioned at the intersection of touch-in-goal lines and the goal lines and at the intersection of the touch-in-goal lines and the dead ball lines. These eight flag posts are outside the in-goal area and do not form part of the playing area.

Question 28

1.5 (c)

Answer 28

Flag posts must be positioned in line with the 22-metre lines and the half way line, 2 metres outside the touchlines and within the playing enclosure.

Question 29

1.6

Answer 29

Objections to the ground

Question 30

1.6 (a)

Answer 30

If either team has objections about the ground or the way it is marked out they must tell the referee before the match starts.

Question 31

1.6 (b)

Answer 31

The referee will attempt to resolve the issues but must not start a match if any part of the ground is considered to be dangerous.