**UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP – SUMMARY OF RULES** **UNDERLYING RULES AND LAWS** (1.) The format and playing aspects of the (“United Rugby Championship or URC”) shall be governed by the United Rugby Championship Rules. In addition, the URC shall be played under World Rugby Laws of the Game and in accordance with the World Rugby Regulations relating to the Game. **THE TEAMS** (2.) There shall be sixteen Teams (16) participating in the URC which comprises two (2) Teams from Scotland, two (2) Teams from Italy, four (4) Teams from Wales, four (4) Teams from South Africa, and four (4) Teams from Ireland. These teams are nominated by the unions. **LEAGUE FORMAT** (3.) The Championship will be played over 18 rounds of Matches. Pro Rugby Championship will divide the Clubs into four ‘Geographical Pools’: One pool (Irish Pool) will consist of all four Irish Clubs – Connacht Rugby, Leinster Rugby, Munster Rugby and Ulster Rugby. One pool (Welsh Pool) will consist of all four Welsh Clubs – Cardiff Rugby, Dragons, Ospreys Rugby and Scarlets. One pool (South African Pool) will consist of all four South African Clubs – Vodacom Bulls, Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and Emirates Lions. One pool (Italian and Scottish Pool) will consist of the two Italian Clubs and the two Scottish Clubs – Benetton Rugby and Zebre Rugby Club, and Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Rugby. Each Club will play one Match at home and one Match away against each of the other three Clubs within its Geographical Pool – i.e. six Matches in total. Explanatory note: for example, Munster Rugby will play two Matches (one at home and one away) against each of Connacht Rugby, Leinster Rugby, and Ulster Rugby. In addition to the Matches played pursuant to clause 2.3, above, each Club will play one Match on a home or away basis (such basis to be determined by Pro Rugby Championship at its discretion) against each of the 12 Clubs that are not in its Geographical Pool. So, each Club plays a total of 18 Matches in the League Stage (six Matches pursuant to clause 2.3, above, and 12 Matches pursuant to this clause 2.4). Results from all Matches in the League Stage will be entered into a single Standing League Table. The following points shall be awarded based on the results of each Match played during the League Stage (such points to be referred to as "League Points" to distinguish them from points scored on the field of play): The Club that wins the Match shall be awarded four League Points or (if it scores four tries or more in the process) five League Points. The Club that loses the Match shall be awarded no League Points or (if it scores four tries or more in the process or loses by a margin of seven points or fewer) one League Point or (if it scores four tries or more in the process and loses by a margin of seven points or fewer) two League Points. Clubs that draw a Match shall each be awarded two League Points and any of them that scores four tries or more in the process shall be awarded a further one League Point. The positions of the Clubs in the League Stage will be entered into the Standard League Table and will be based on the following, in order: a) the number of League Points awarded to each Club; b) if unresolved, the number of Matches won by each Club in the League Stage; c) if unresolved, the difference between the total points scored and the total points conceded on the field of play for each Club in all Matches in the League Stage; d) if unresolved, the number of tries scored by each Club in all Matches in the League Stage; e) if unresolved, the number of points scored on the field of play by each Club in all Matches in the League Stage; f) if unresolved, the difference between the number of tries scored and the number of tries conceded by each Club in all Matches in the League Stage; g) if unresolved, the number of Players suspended by a Disciplinary Committee or Appeal Committee for incidents taking place in the League Stage (i.e. the Club with fewer will be positioned higher); h) if unresolved, the number of yellow cards received by Players for each Club in all Matches in the League Stage (i.e. the Club with fewer will be positioned higher); and i) if unresolved, the toss of a coin or as otherwise determined by Pro Rugby Championship in its absolute discretion. For the purposes of this clause, what qualifies as a yellow card will be determined by Pro Rugby Championship in its absolute discretion. **THE KNOCK-OUT STAGE** (3.1) The eight Clubs that are in the positions first place to eighth place in the Standing League Table at the conclusion of the League Stage will qualify for the Final Series Stage. The Final Series Stage will be divided into quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a Final Match. The quarter-finals will be knock-out, each played over one Match (subject to clause 5.1, below), and organised as follows: Quarter-final 1 (QF1) – the Club ranked first in the Standing League Table will play at home against the Club ranked eighth in the Standing League Table. Quarter-final 2 (QF2) – the Club ranked second in the Standing League Table will play at home against the Club ranked seventh in the Standing League Table. Quarter-final 3 (QF3) – the Club ranked third in the Standing League Table will play at home against the Club ranked sixth in the Standing League Table. Quarter-final 4 (QF4)– the Club ranked fourth in the Standing League Table will play at home against the Club ranked fifth in the Standing League Table. The winners of the quarter-final Matches will proceed to the semi-finals. The semi-finals will be knock-out, each played over one Match (subject to clause 5.1, below), and organised as follows: Semi-final 1 (SF1) - the winner of QF1 versus the winner of QF4. The winner of QF1 will be the ‘home’ Club unless Pro Rugby Championship determines otherwise. Semi-final 2 (SF2) - the winner of QF2 versus the winner of QF3. The winner of QF2 will be the ‘home’ Club unless Pro Rugby Championship determines otherwise. The winners of the semi-finals will proceed to the Final Match. The Final Match will be knock-out, played over one Match, at a venue designated by Pro Rugby Championship. In the event of a tie at full-time of a Final Series Stage Match, the winner of that Match shall be determined by reference to the following rules: Extra time will be played in accordance with the protocol set out at Appendix Two to these Championship Rules and the Club that scores the most points in such extra time shall be deemed the winner of that Match. If the scores are tied after extra time, then the Club that has scored the most tries in that Match (including extra time) shall be deemed the winner of that Match. If the scores are tied after extra time and the Clubs have scored the same number of tries in that Match (including extra time), then the winner of the Match will be determined by a place-kick competition conducted in accordance with Appendix Three to these Championship Rules. **UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL** (4.) The winner of the United Rugby Championship for 2021/22 will therefore be the Team that wins the URC Final. (4.1) In the event of a tie at full time in a URC Final then extra-time will be played, consisting of two periods, each of ten minutes. If the score is still tied after extra-time, the Team that has scored the most tries in the match will be deemed the winner. If the Teams are still tied on points and tries at the end of extra-time then the winner will be determined by a Place Kick Competition. (4.2) In the event that a Place Kick Competition is required, each Team will nominate three goal kickers who will take six place kicks between them from different positions along the twenty-two metre and ten metre lines. The Team with the most place kicks scored will be the winner. If the Teams are tied at the end of their six kicks, then sudden death will apply. (4.3) Only players in the playing area at the final whistle of extratime may be nominated for the Place Kick Competition. No substituted players or players who have been shown a red card may take part at any time including any player who has received a yellow card and who remains in the sin bin at the time of the final whistle of extra-time. **SCHEDULING** (5.) Matches will ordinarily be played on the Friday, Saturday or Sunday of the respective weekends designated by Pro Rugby Championship. In the event that a Match has begun but is then abandoned after 60 minutes or more have been played (i.e., at least 20 minutes into the second half): The Match will be deemed to have been completed, and the result at the time of the abandonment will stand as the Match result; and The procedure regarding any Citing Commissioner Warnings, Temporary Suspensions and red cards received in respect of the Match and/or any incidents in the Match that are the subject of citing or Misconduct complaints will be the same as if the Match had been completed. In the event that a Match has begun but is then abandoned after fewer than 60 minutes have been played (i.e., fewer than 20 minutes into the second half), Pro Rugby Championship shall decide, in its absolute discretion, whether: The Match will be deemed to have been completed, in which case clause 3.6.1, above, will be deemed to apply; or The Match will be replayed in full, in which case: Pro Rugby Championship shall select a date, kick-off time and venue for the replayed Match; The procedure regarding any Citing Commissioner Warnings, Temporary Suspensions and red cards received in respect of the Match and/or any incidents in the Match that are the subject of citing or Misconduct complaints will be the same as if the Match had been completed; and for the avoidance of doubt, a Club participating in a replayed Match may select a different team and/or squad from the team/squad it originally selected for the abandoned Match. The Match referee will determine whether or not 60 minutes or more of a Match have been played at the time of abandonment. **PLAYING SQUADS** Each Club must have registered a squad of up to 50 Players to compete on its behalf in the Championship by: a) submitting to Pro Rugby Championship on or before noon (UK time) on the First Registration Date all relevant details of the Players on an accurately and comprehensively completed Squad Registration Form b) At least ten of the Players registered by the Club pursuant to clause 6.1.2, above, must be capable of playing in front row forward positions and must be suitably trained and experienced for that role (a Player with such competence, training and experience is hereby referred to as a "Front Row Player"). **REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL PLAYERS** Each Club may register additional Players to replace Players previously registered by the Club and to compete on the Club’s behalf in the Championship by (a) submitting to Pro Rugby Championship no later than 48 hours before the scheduled kick-off of the first Match in which the Club proposes the relevant additional Player will participate, all relevant details of the additional Player(s) and the replaced Player(s) on an accurately and comprehensively completed Squad Registration Form, and (b) by the same deadline, procuring that each additional Player completes and signs an Acknowledgement and Agreement Form (which form the Club must provide to Pro Rugby Championship on request), by way of Footprint. **FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT:** a) Player who has been replaced pursuant to clause 6.1.4, above, may re-join a Club’s Championship squad pursuant to clause 6.1.4, above; and b) at all times a Club’s registered Championship squad can number no more than 50 Players. Subject to Championship Rules, additional Players may not be registered after 21 March 2022, save that any Player who turns 18 years of age after that date may be registered provided that the Club’s registered Championship squad at the date of his registration numbers no more than 50 Players. Each European Club is permitted a maximum of two Non-European Players in any one Match squad. A "Non-European Player" is a Player who is not a European Player. A "European Player" is defined as a Player who, at the point that he is included in a Match squad: a) is a national of a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area (and the United Kingdom will, for these purposes, be treated as such a state in any event) or of a state with which the European Union (or its predecessor, the European Community) has entered into an agreement that includes directly effective provisions conferring equivalent rights of non-discrimination against that state's nationals within the European Union; or b) has completed 36 consecutive months of Residence in the country of the Union which has jurisdiction over his Club; or c) pursuant to World Rugby Regulation 8, is eligible to play for the senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team, the next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team or the senior National Representative Sevens Team (as those terms are used in those regulations) of a Union. Each South African Club is permitted to include Non-South African Players in any one Match squad subject to the approval of South African Rugby Union. A "Non-South African Player" is a Player who is not a South African Player. A "South African Player" is defined as a Player who, at the point that he is included in a Match squad: a) is a national of South Africa; or b) pursuant to World Rugby Regulation 8, is eligible to play for the senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team, the next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team or the senior National Representative Sevens Team (as those terms are used in those regulations) of the South African Rugby Union. **EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL CLUB RUGBY (EPCR) QUALIFICATION AND SEEDING QUALIFICATION** (1.) Eight Clubs participating in the Championship will qualify to participate in the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup, with the remaining eight Clubs qualifying to participate in the 2022/23 EPCR Challenge Cup (in each case subject to – among other things – nomination by the relevant union, acceptance by EPCR and compliance with the relevant participation agreement). (2.) Subject to paragraph 3, below, the eight Clubs that qualify to participate in the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup will be made up of the following: (2.1) the four Clubs that are top of the respective Geographic Pools at the conclusion of the League Stage (assuming that those Geographical Pools reflect simply the relevant points and positions of the Clubs in those pools after – and having taken into account – all League Stage Matches, and applying the provisions in clause 2.7 of the Championship Rules to determine the positions of the Clubs in those pools); and (2.2) the four highest placed Clubs in the final Standing League Table (ie after the League Stage has concluded) after having removed from the Standing League Table all Clubs that have qualified as a result of finishing top of the Geographical Pools as set out in paragraph 2.1, above. (3.) In the event that: (a) a Club wins the Championship; and/or (b) a Club wins the 2021/22 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup (and therefore qualifies for the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup pursuant to EPCR's play-off regulations 2021/22); and/or (c) a Club wins the 2021/22 EPCR Challenge Cup (and therefore qualifies for the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup pursuant to EPCR's play-off regulations 2021/22), but that Club/those Clubs has/have not qualified to participate in the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup via either paragraph 2.1 or 2.2, above, then the eight Clubs that qualify to participate in the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup will be made up of the following: (3.1) if applicable, the Club that has won the Championship, but has not qualified to participate in the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup via either paragraph 2.1 or 2.2, above; (3.2) if applicable, the Club that has won the 2021/22 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup, but has not qualified to participate in the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup via either paragraph 2.1 or 2.2, above; (3.3) if applicable, the Club that has won the 2021/22 EPCR Challenge Cup, but has not qualified to participate in the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup via either paragraph 2.1 or 2.2, above; (3.4) the four Clubs that are top of the respective Geographic Pools at the conclusion of the League Stage pursuant to paragraph 2.1, above; and (3.5) the highest placed Clubs in the final Standing League Table (the number of which shall be determined by the number of Clubs that qualify through paragraphs 3.1.-3.4, for example if three separate Clubs qualify through paragraphs 3.1-3.3 there will only be one Club that will qualify through this paragraph 3.5) after having removed from the Standing League Table all Clubs that have qualified as a result of paragraphs 3.1-3.4. **SEEDING** 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup draw (4.) The seeding for the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup draw will be determined as follows: (4.1) the winner of the Final Match will be first seed; (4.2) the runner-up in the Final Match will be second seed (provided that the runner-up has qualified for the EPCR Heineken Champions Cup in accordance with paragraphs 2-4, above); (4.3) the remaining seeds will be determined by the order that the EPCR Heineken Champions Cup qualifiers finished in the final Standing League Table. 2022/23 EPCR Challenge Cup draw (5.) The seeding for the 2022/23 EPCR Challenge Cup will be determined by the order of the Clubs in the final Standing League Table after having removed all Clubs that have qualified for EPCR’s 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup.
