Key Tournament Rules

The Tournament will be played under the IRB Laws of the Game and in accordance with the IRB Regulations relating to the Game

1(a) Pool Matches

Four points for a win, two points for a draw, one point for a bonus point (match points). A bonus point will be earned by a team scoring four or more tries and/or by a team losing be seven or less points. The six Pool winners and two best placed runners-up, i.e. out of the six teams that finish second in their respective pools will qualify for the Quarter-Finals. The Pool winners and best-placed runners-up will be decided by the following criteria:(i) the Pool winner will be the Club with the highest number of match points earned in each Pool. The runners up will be the two Clubs from all six Pools with the next highest number of points. The Pool winners will be ranked 1-6 in terms of the number of points earned. The runners-ups will be ranked 7 and 8, also by reference to the number of match points earned
(ii) if Clubs are equal on points and the Clubs are in the same Pool, then qualification / ranking will be based on the matches played between the Clubs concerned
(a) the Club which has earned the most number of match points from the matches between those clubs (four points for a win, two points for a draw and bonus points)
(b) the Club which has scored the most tries in the matches between those clubs
(c) the Club with the best points difference from the matches between those clubs
(iii) if still unresolved, or the teams have not played each other previously in the Pool stage, qualification/ranking will be based on
(a) the number of tries scored in all Pool matches
(b) aggregate points difference from all Pool matches
(c) the Club with the fewest number of players shown a red card and/or suspended in all Pool matches
(d) toss of a coin

Teams ranked 1-4 will have home advantage. The Quarter-Finals will be

1(b) Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final
(i) the Semi-Finals will be played at a venue designated by ERC, with the opponents in each match determined by a draw conducted by ERC. The Final will be played at a venue designated by ERC
(ii) in the event of a tie at full-time in the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final, extra time of 20 minutes (10 minutes each way) will be played
(iii) if the result is still unresolved the winner will be decided by the following criteria
(a) the Club which has scored the most tries in that match, including extra time
(b) place kick competition to determine the winner

2 Eligibility of Players
Each club shall nominate a squad of up to 34 players. (nb - for further information on player eligability, please contact ERC

3. Club Colours
In the event of a colour clash, the away club will change jerseys, (or, in the case of a match played at neither club's "home" venue the club selected to change jersey by toss of a coin)

4. Drug Testing
Players will be subject to drug testing under ERC procedures or as otherwise notified by ERC

5. Discipline
(i) the case of any player red carded shall be adjudicated upon by a Match Commissioner
(ii) where a player is cited by either of the clubs competing in the match, his case shall be immediately referred to the Disciplinary Officer. The citing must be in writing and received by the Disciplinary Officer within 50 hours of the start of the match
(iii) a Player ordered off or cited may not take part in or be selected for any further match until his case has been dealt with

6. Abandonment / Postponements
(i) decisions on whether matches abandoned should be replayed or whether the result should stand will be made by the ERC Board
(ii) postponed matches should be played the following day unless not reasonably practicable, in which case ERC shall select a rearranged date and kick-off time (and where necessary, an alternative venue) for the postponed match to be played