Law 4 - Players' clothing

DEFINITIONS:

Players' clothing is anything players wear.

A player wears a jersey, shorts and underwear, socks and boots.

1 ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF CLOTHING

(a) A player may wear supports made of elasticated or compressible materials which must be washable.

(b) A player may wear shin guards worn under the socks with padding incorporated in non-rigid fabric with no part of the padding thicker than 0.5 cm when compressed.

(c) A player may wear ankle supports worn under socks, not extending higher than one third of the length of the shin and, if rigid, from material other than metal.

(d) A player may wear mitts (fingerless gloves) which conform to IRB Specifications (Regulations 12).

(e) A player may wear shoulder pads, made of soft and thin materials, which may be incorporated in an undergarment or jersey provided that the pads cover the shoulder and collar bone only. No part of the pads may be thicker than 1cm when uncompressed. No part of the pads may have a density of more than 45 kilograms per cubic metre.

(f) A player may wear a mouth guard or dental protector.

(g) A player may wear headgear made of soft and thin materials provided that no part of the headgear is thicker than 1 cm when uncompressed and no part of the headgear has a density of more than 45 kilograms per cubic metre.

(h) A player may wear bandages and/or dressings to cover or protect any injury.

(i) A player may wear thin tape or other similar material as support and/or to prevent injury.

(j) A player must not wear communication devices within that player's clothing or have them attached to his body.

(k) A player must not wear any additional item of clothing that does not conform IRB Regulation 12.

2 SPECIAL ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR WOMEN

Besides the previous items, women may wear chest pads made of soft and thin materials which may be incorporated as part of a garment provided that the pads cover the shoulder and/or collar bone and/or chest only with no part of the pads thicker than 1 cm when uncompressed and no part of the pads having a density of more than 45 kilograms per cubic metre.

3 THICKNESS AND DENSITY

The measurement of thickness and density includes any other material incorporated in the pads or used to secure the pads to the body.

4 STUDS

(a) Studs of players' boots must conform to British Standard BS6366 1983 or an equivalent standard.

(b) Studs of players' boots must be circular; and securely fastened to the sole of the boot.

(c) Studs of players' boots must have the following dimensions: Not longer than 18 mm, measured from the sole; a minimum diameter of 10 mm at the top of the stud; a minimum diameter of 13 mm at the base of the stud (excluding the washer); and a minimum diameter of 20 mm at the base where the stud integrates with the washer.

(d) Moulded rubber multi-studded soles are acceptable provided they have no sharp edges or ridges.

5 BANNED ITEMS OF CLOTHING

(a) A player must not wear any item that is contaminated by blood.

(b) A player must not wear any item that is sharp or abrasive.

(c) A player must not wear any items containing buckles, clips, rings, hinges, zippers, screws, bolts or rigid material or projection not otherwise permitted under this law.

(d) A player must not wear jewellery such as rings or earrings.

(e) A player must not wear gloves.

(f) A player must not wear shorts with padding sewn into them.

(g) A player must not wear any item of which any part is thicker than 0.5 cm when uncompressed or is denser than 45 kilograms per cubic metre unless specified within this law.

(h) A player must not wear any item that is normally permitted by law, but, in the referee's opinion that is liable to cause injury to a player.

(i) A player must not wear a single stud at the toe of the boot.

6 WEARING OTHER CLOTHING

The referee must not allow any player to leave the playing area to change items of clothying, unless these are bloodstained.