As we look towards the start of the 2018-19 Season on the 1st September the National League Rules and Regulations for 2018-19 have now been confirmed and verified by the Union’s Community Game Sub Board.

Throughout the season, various points were raised by Clubs with their respective District Representatives and in turn this feedback was fed through to the annual review of the regulations with a view to making positive changes for the upcoming season.
Iit is prudent to highlight a number of these changes for your Club as it is important to be aware that there have been a number of significant amendments to the Regulations that will impact on the coming season.

Below is a summary of the main changes made to the National League Regulations alongside the key clause contained within the Regulations for ease of reference.

National League Rules & Regulations 2018-19 Season – Key Changes

Page 2-8 – Outline of relegation from Premiership and Championship

Following relegation from Premiership and Championship, information regarding certain Divisions possibly having three teams relegated at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season

Information on the scheduled playoff between the team finishing in 12th position in the Premier Division and the winner of the Championship.

Page 9-10 – Confirmation that only two non-Welsh players may be named in the match day squad for any National League for teams who have obtained an A License.

Page 11 – The Player Loan scheme has been removed and will not be allowed to be used by teams in the National Leagues with the exception of Regional sides.

Page 11 – Amendment whereby teams will only be allowed to use no more than four non-primary players in total, in the Championship and National Divisions (with the exception of the Premier Division) made up of dual registrations, Academy players and players on permits.

Page 11-12 – Amendment to permit regulations whereby teams are only allowed to permit players from one Division higher, the same level or below. Premiership and Championship players are allowed to permit to any club in the National League provided it is to the club who held his previous registration.

Page 14-15 – Changes to the number of players teams are allowed to field should they begin a fixture with uncontested scrums and only be allowed to use a maximum of two replacements or elect to go uncontested during the fixture.

Page 16 – Confirmation that the Number 8 from both teams are not allowed to pick up from the base of the scrum should they go uncontested.

Page 18 – Amendment to how National League placings are determined whereby teams who have recorded the fewest losses will also be taken into consideration. . ( e.g.This means in Division 1 West Penclawdd would have survived and Tenby relegated if that rule had been in place last season)

Page 19 – Postponed fixtures will now be automatically rearranged to the next available Saturday during the season unless both teams mutually agree to a separate date. If there are no available Saturday’s they will be automatically set for midweek following March 31st, 2019.

Page 19 – Confirmation that matches must be played on set dates except in the case of postponement because of adverse ground or weather conditions and/or requests from the appointed Broadcasters.

Page 20 – Clubs who have appeals made against them will be informed once the appeal has agreed to be heard.

Page 23-28 – New criteria required to obtain Premier Division A License is contained within.

Page 29 – Statement of Truth which has to be completed and returned to John Howells by 31st August

Downloads:
At the bottom of this page are the links to read or download

1. WRU National Leagues 2018-19 Key Changes

2 WRU National League Rules 2018-19

3. WRU National Plate Rules 2018-19

4. WRU Disciplinary Rules & regulations 2018-19

5 WRU Player Registration & Transfer Regulations 2018-19