REGULATION 8 EXPLANATORY GUIDELINES Match involving the senior or next senior National Representative Teams of two Unions. (c) In addition to (a) and (b) above, Unions who designate their Under 20s National Representative Team as their next senior National Representative Team have a particular onus to clearly make the Team Players aware of the consequences of being captured for that Union at age grade level. Effective 1 July 2014, the Players on any such Team which participates in the World Rugby Junior World Championships, World Rugby Junior World Trophy or the Six Nations U20 Championship (where they are present at the Match played by that Team either as a replacement, substitute or playing member of that Team and has, at the time of the Match, reached the age of majority) will be captured. In this regard the status of the opposition teams in any Match in these named tournaments is not a factor to be considered. 7. What is the age of majority? For the purposes of the Regulations (including, but not limited to Regulation 8), the age of majority is deemed to be acquired on a Player’s 18th birthday. 8. Does the eligibility criteria apply to all forms of Rugby? The eligibility criteria applies to the fifteen-a-side Game at senior and next senior National Representative level and in respect of a Union’s senior National Representative Sevens Team. 9. Does the eligibility criteria apply to all Unions in membership of World Rugby ? Yes, all Unions in membership of World Rugby are obliged to comply with the eligibility Regulation 10. How will the eligibility criteria be assessed? Ordinarily, the task of assessing whether a Player satisfies any of the eligibility criteria set out in Regulation 8.1 is straightforward. However, as a result of professionalism, greater mobility and societal family change this is not always the case. Difficult cases have arisen and may continue to emerge. The responses to the questions set out below are intended to provide further clarification as to how each eligibility criterion in Regulation 8.1 will be applied. The questions and answers should be regarded as guidelines. They have been prepared on the basis of operational experience to date. It is not possible to anticipate all scenarios that may arise and a degree of flexibility in the application of the Regulations will be maintained. Moving forward, in the event that there is any uncertainty or the need for clarification in relation to the application of the eligibility criteria in particular circumstances, then the Regulations Committee may be asked by World Rugby to make a ruling on a Player’s eligibility. In relation to any Last update: 14 January, 2015 141
World Rugby Handbook
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