Page 75

AJudicial Working Group was convened as part of the post-Rugby World Cup review of each functional area. The group was mandated to review the citing and judicial process (including a review of the Regulation 17 Sanction Table, available online at worldrugby.org/regulations) and to make recommendations for change where necessary.At the request of the Judicial Working Group, a Sanctions Review Conference was held on 28 June to review the sanction for each act of foul play in the Regulation 17 Sanction Table. Opened by newly-elected World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont 2016 was a busy year in the world of rugby discipline.WORLD RUGBY DISCIPLINARY UPDATEABOVETougher sanctions await players who make illegal contact with the headand chaired by Regulations Committee Chairman Bob Latham, the conference was attended by current and recently retired players, coaches, rugby media, rugby administrators, union representatives, representatives of SANZAAR, Six Nations and International Rugby Players’ Association (IRPA), judicial and citing personnel. Proposals from the conference were provided to the Judicial Working Group for consideration. Having considered all the proposals, the Judicial Working Group generated a series of proposals which were sent to all unions for consultation. The consultation outcomes were considered by the Rugby and Regulations Committees and ultimately the World Rugby Council, and the resulting changes to Regulation 17 came into force on 3 January, 2017. Significant changes of note included tougher sanctions for players who commit acts of foul play in relation to an opponent’s head, which reflects World Rugby’s continued commitment to injury prevention and a zero-tolerance approach to illegal contact with the head.INTEGRITYDISCIPLINE | EDUCATEYEAR IN REVIEW 2016 WORLD RUGBY 75