Regulations & Guidelines

1. All outgoing overseas clearances must be sent to playerclearances@irfu.ie using the IRFU Overseas Clearance form (link here)
2. Any incoming overseas or returning players must firstly complete the IRFU Clearance Form and submit it to the union where they are currently playing requesting clearance from that union. That union will complete the form and send it to the IRFU who will process the clearance.
3. The players club will receive a copy of a clearance letter from the IRFU for the overseas player to play in Ireland.
4. Once the Player has been cleared by the IRFU, the player, club and branch will be advised by email. Please note the player is not permitted to play until this clearance is received. If the player is playing here for the first time, they must contact the province they are playing in and have their identification and residency verified as per Branch regulations.
5. Players cannot be registered on RugbyConnect until World Rugby clearance is confirmed.
6. A player who has been away from Ireland for less than 12 months must be registered back to the same club they were with when they left.
7. Players will have to be aware of any Provincial regulations.

CLUB TRANSFERS WITHOUT RESTRICTION PRIOR TO THE 15^th OF JUNE

1. Before any transfer form is submitted to the branch, the player or new club must notify their current club, in writing, of their intention to transfer at least five days prior to the transfer form being submitted. It is recommended a separate email is sent in addition to the automatic notification generated on RugbyConnect.
2. WhatsApp, Snapchat, Text, Instagram, etc are not acceptable methods of communication.
3. Evidence of confirmation to a player’s current club may be required. Failure to provide may invalidate the transfer request.
4. If the transfer is submitted correctly prior to the registration date cut off, the current club cannot prevent the transfer.
5. U20 Change of Mind form (Regulation 9.14.1.4) A player who was eligible for the previous seasons U20 competition who transfers to an AIL club can now apply to return to their previous club under certain conditions.

1. Irish qualified (birth, parent or grandparent)
2. EU or British Passport holder.
3. Overseas player is defined as anyone NOT Irish Qualified, or NOT an EU or British passport holder. Only one per AIL team and must be identified on the PPS list submitted at the start of the AIL season.
4. In the case of (c), a player who completes one year working or full time studying in Ireland or Northern Ireland can apply to the Rugby Competitions Manager to be considered Non-Overseas. Proof must be sent of the players arrival, their time in Ireland or Northern Ireland, their work or study record, and must not have played rugby overseas in the 12-month period or been away for an extended period of time.
5. Any player who is registered as a club member prior to 28^th September and who attains the age of 18 during the season shall be eligible to play after he has attained his 18^th birthday, except for school or club underage players who are still involved in their school or club underage competition. They only become eligible once their school or club competition concludes.

1. There are three categories of contracts: Contracted, Academy and Sevens.
2. A Development player, while falling into the Contracted player area, is a separate category of player with additional criteria. The criteria for a Development Contracted player will be determined by the IRFU at the start of the season and a list of them kept by the Rugby Competitions Manager.
3. Up to 6 Provincially Contracted players per team may play in matches between Division 1

clubs. Contracted players cannot appear in Division 2*

1. Development Players may not play in Division 2C.
2. An Academy contracted player can play in any division unrestricted.

*A player who is deemed as a Development Player may play in Divisions 1A-2B

1. Men’s Divisions of the AIL  – 3 dual status players with a maximum of six times each over the course of the season which includes Bateman Cup and AIL finals.
2. Women’s Divisions of the AIL – 5 dual status  players with unlimited appearances.
3. A dual status form specific to an AIL fixture (link here) must be completed and sent to Kevin Beggs at beggs@irfu.ie.  A new form is required for every game and confirmation of the request must be received.
4. Being listed on a team sheet on the day is counted as an appearance.
5. A player shall only be a dual status member of one AIL Club and one non-League Club in the same season
6. An overseas player may not play as a dual status player for a Club which has already registered an overseas player for that season.

Replacements (Regulation 9.21)

In matches between Division 1 clubs, up to six replacements may be used. Division 2 shall see five replacements used.

In finals and play off matches, up to 8 replacements may be used (details confirmed prior to these matches being played)

Clash of colours (Regulation 9.22)

In matches where it is deemed there is a clash of colours, the home team must change. The

IRFU will adjudicate should there be a concern. Match referees shall be the sole arbiter should a situation arise on match day.

 Team Sheets (Regulation 9.23)

Must be an accurate reflection of the players taking the field.

Team sheets must be submitted to the opposition by midday on the Friday preceding the match.

Front Row

A team must have five players that can play in the front row in all matches. This applies to matches with 5,6 or 7 replacements. There must be a replacement available at the first time of asking for the hooker position, tighthead prop, or loose head prop. Team sheets must specify all players who can play in the front row position and their positions they can cover.

Kick off times

The default time for matches is 2.30pm on a Saturday. Should clubs wish to request a change to their kick off, then both clubs must agree, the game must be played on the same scheduled weekend (or earlier) and must be approved by the Rugby Competitions Manager.