Rugby term
Replacement
Definition
Substitution of one player for another.
Replacements may be made for injury or tactical reasons, subject to law limits. Players temporarily replaced for a blood injury or a head injury assessment may return.
Related laws
Related terms
CaptainThe captain is the player who leads a team on the field, takes part in the coin toss and makes choices for the team, such as which sanction to take.Head injury assessment (HIA)An HIA, or head injury assessment, is when a player with a possible head injury leaves the field to be checked while a temporary replacement takes their place.PropA prop is one of the two front-row forwards who bind on either side of the hooker in a scrum, with the loosehead usually wearing 1 and the tighthead 3.Red cardA red card means a player is sent off and takes no further part in the match, usually for serious foul play or after a second yellow card.SubstitutionA substitution, called a replacement in the laws, is when a player leaves the field and a nominated team-mate from the bench takes their place.Uncontested scrumA scrum where neither team contests for the ball; the feeding team is awarded possession automatically.Yellow cardA yellow card is a temporary suspension: the player leaves the field for 10 minutes of playing time, and their team plays a player short while they are off.