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RUGBY FOOT'BALL UNION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held at the MAY FAIR HOTEL, LONDON, on Friday, 28th JUNE, 1957, at 5 p.rn.

The following Clubs (323) were represented:- Army R.U. Civil Service Union Hove 1st Bn. E. Lancs. Regt. Civil Service Huddersfield 3 Basic Trg. Bn. R.A.O.C. Christchurch Ilford Wanderers 1 Trg. Regt. R.E. City of London School lnland Revenue 68 Regt. R.A. Clifton K.C.S. Old Boys 15 Bn. R.A.O.C. Bicester College of St. Mark & St. John Kent School of Military Survey Combined Birmingham Old Boys Kibworth 26 Field Engr. Regt. R.E. County Kidderminster 16 Bn. RA.O.C. Cornwall Colts Kingston Technical College 1 Trg. Regt. Royal Signais Cornwall Junior Group King's College (London) 9 Trg. Regt. RE. Coventrians Kodak 31 Trg. Regt. RA. Coventry Kynoch Catterick Garrison Crawley Union 4 Trg. Regt. Royal Signais Derby Leeds Grammar School Depot & T.E. R.A.M.C. Derbyshire Union Leicestershire Union 1st Bn. York Lancaster Regt. Cou nty Lensbury & Britannic House 11/12 S.M.E. Regt. Dorchester Letchworth , lst Trg. Bn. R.A.S.C. Dorset & Wilts. Lewes County School Bicester Garrison Durham County Lichfield A.E.c. Ealing Lincoln Alliance Eastern CountieS Lincolnshire Union Aston Old Edwardians Lloyds Bank Aylesford Paper Mills Erdington London Aylestonian Esher London Hospital Bank of Esso Bank of London & South Exiles (Porthcurno) London Schools Union America Fairbairn House London Telecommunications Barbarian Falmouth London Tra~sport Barclays Bank Falmouth One &.All London Welsh Basingstoke Fielding Sports Loughborough College Bath Finchley Ludlow Beckenham Firestone Ludlow Grammar School Bec.Old Boys Gidea Park Luton Bedford Gloucestershire Union Lutterworth Berkshire County Union Gosport Lyons Bickley Park School Gravesend Macclestield Biggleswade Gt. Ballard Maidstone Bisley School Guildford & GOdalming Malsis School Blackheath Guy's Hospital May & Baker B.O.A.C. Halifax Medicals Bournemouth Hampshire County Metropolitan Police Bramley Old Boys Harlequins Metropolitan Police 'X' Div. Bristol & District Combination Harrodian Metrovick Broad Plain Harrow School , Middlesbrough Bromsgrove Hastings & Bexhill Middlesex Union Buxton Hayle Mill Hill Cambridgeshire Headingley Moseley Cambridge University LX Club Hertfordshire Union Mounts Bay Colts Camp Hill Old Edwardians Hewell Grange Napier Catford Bridge Hon. Artillery Company National Physical Laboratory Centymca Hornets National Provincial Bank

\ 1 Newark Oxford University Seaford New Brighton Paignton ' Sheffield Newbury Park House \ Shelford Newport Penryn Sidcup Northern & Newlyn , Solihull North Midlands Union Penzance County Gnünmar Southend North Shields 1 School Southern Railway Northumberland Albion South Leicester Nottinghamshire Union Polytechnic Stafford Notts. Lincs. & Derbys. Union Portsmouth : Staffordshire Union Nuneaton Public Schools Wanderers Staines Nuneaton Old Edwardians Raynes Park Old Boys1 Stoneygate Old Albanians Reading School ), Streatham Old Alleynian Redruth . , Surrey County Union Old Anchorian Redruth Highway, Il, Sussex Union Old Askean Richmond f Sussex Schools Old Bancroftian R.N.A.S. Stretton Sutton Coldfield Old Birkonian Rockcliff 1 Sutton Valence School Old Bedians Rosslyn Park , ~ Tamworth Old Blues Rottingdean School 1 Toc. H Manchester Old Bristolians Roundhay " Tredworth Old Coventrian Royal Air Force Union Trinit y School of John Whitgift Old Cranleighan R.A.F. Air Ministry Unit Trojans Old Dartfordian R.A.F. Bawdsey , Troon Old Dowegians R.A.F. Bracknell Twickenham Old Dunstonian R.A.F. Cardington United Banks Old Edwardians R.A.F. CaÜerick J University College, London Old Elizabethans (Barnet) R.A.F. Chigwell ) University Vandals Old Esthameians R.A.F. ColtishaUI Upper Clapton Old Fullerians R.A.F. H.Q. 81 Group U.S. Chatham Old Gaytonian R.A.F. H.Q. Fighte~ Command Wallasey Grammar School Old Grammarians R.A.F. H~nlowll Walsall Old Guildfordian R.A.F. ~lldenhall Il Wanstead Old Haberdashers R.A. F. LIchfieldf Warlingham Old Hertfordians R.A.F. North Luffenham Warrington Old Instonians R.A.F. Nuneham Rark Warwickshire Union Old Leodiensian R.A.F. St. Eval ,I Wasps Old Lutonians R.A.F. St. Mawgan Waterloo Old Masonian R.A.F. Seaton Snobk Welwyn Old Merchant Taylors R.A.F. Sopleyl Westcombe Park Old Millhillians R.A.F. Stradishall! Westleigh Old Mitchamian R.A.F. Swanton Morley Westminster Bank Old Parkonians R.A.F. Swinderby 1: West Norfolk Old Paviors R.A.F. West Kirb~ Westoe Old Redingensian Royal Aircraft Establishment Whitgift School Old Reigatian Royal Navy :,\ Wimbledon College . Old Roundhegian Royal Veterinary

:( J f 1: 1 The Notice convening the Meeting was read by the Secretary. The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 13th July, 1956, were confirmed and signed. Surgeon Rear-Admiral L. B. Osborne:- "Gentlemen, as your retiring President, it is my dut y, and my pleasure, to present the Annual Report on the past Season of 1956/57, and to ask you to receive it. This Report has been printed and circulated and is before you, and therefore I can be brief in my references to it. First of all, 1 will say how much we deplore the death of AdmiraI M. G. A. Edwards (my predecessor representing the Royal Navy), Mr. C. S. Bongard and Mr. Eric Coley, aIl ofwhom gave long and valuable service to Twickenham. Rugby Football has also suffered an untimely 10ss in the death of Peter Cooper, one of our most brilliant International Referees. I want to express my personal regret at the omission of an important fact in this Report. 1 refer to the Tour of the Combined South African Universities' Touring Team. For although this was a Four Home Unions' Tour, it was organised on their behalf by a special sub-Committee of this Union and under the able Chairmanship of Mr. John Tallent. It was the first tour of its kind to this Country, and in spite of misfortune over weather conditions, it was a success, and the "Sables" continued all through to play open and adventurous football regardless ofresults. Through this and the personal qualities of the whole team and the Managers (Mr. Louis Babrow and Mr. Bunny Austin) they won the respect and friendship of all. Gentlemen, I feel that this Annual Report shows a good and sound state of our affairs generally, and that there is a convincing proof of the strong vitality and capacity for progress which is to be found in the Clubs, which are the life springs of the Union. Our membership continues to increase. Our International Season has been crowned with great success. Deep thanks are due to our Team and their great Captain-Eric Evans and to Mr. Carston Catcheside and his fellow Selectors, who have given an immense amount of their valuable time to this fine work. Twickenham has once again been honoured by the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, and by the Officers of many Overseas Unions. Rugby is strong in the Counties; and Devon have gained a healthy win in the Championship. We have had a fine Referees' Conference, and refereeing generally has been heIped by this and by the publication of our new booklet "The Art of Refereeing" . We have kept up our tours overseas and on the Continent-helping others less fortunate than ourselves. Above aIl, and in spite of increasing expense on repairs and maintenance and new rating at Twickenham, we have kept up our loans to Clubs. We have had to raise the price of aIl Stand tickets to do this but we are convinced that this is right. . I have had the good fortune to travel round the country and to open a lot of new club-houseswhich, generally speaking, have been built by the hands of Members of the Clubs. 1 cannot help feeling the great importance of getting club-houses. Once you have got your home you get united, and once you get united you get prosperity and start building up tradition. AU that remains for me, as the retiring President, to do is to give thanks:- To aIl the Clubs and Constituent Bodies which I have had the honour of visiting. Thanks for all their wonderful kindness to me and for all they do for us so unselfishly and so willingly. To the players for their spirit and keen-ness which 1 have seen everywhere, for their loyalty to their Clubs and for their support of the open adventurous game. More and more players are showingthat. To our Secretary and the office staff at Twickenham who do a tremendous job with great efficiency. To the Press. 1 do not think we can ever be too thankful to the Press. It is their duty to keep the public informed on Rugby Football, to provide sound criticism which will improve and help the game and encourage the players. Right weIl, by and large, do they do the se things, and our grateful thanks should go to them for their work and for their friendship. Finally 1 would like to thank the ladies of the Clubs. Wherever 1 have been 1 have met members of ladies committees which are organising and running dances, whist drives and the social side of the Clubs, and 1 do give thanks through you· to them for their hard work and good spirit.

3 ------:------

WeIl gentlemen, my time has come to an end, but as 1 see it, the future is good and strong and sound, provided always that we stand with absolute firmness to our convictions and our Laws on amateurism. 1 cannot say too forcibly that our future stands on this-on the powet and influence for good of a great amateur game. Finally; gentlemen, may 1 thank you for your confidence in me through this Se as on and for the honour you have paid to the Royal Navy and to myself." Statement of Accounts; Season 1956-1957. The Honorary Treasurer, Mr. W. C. Ramsay, presented the Statement of Accounts for the year ending 30th April, 1957, and moved its adoption. Surgeon Rear-Admiral Osborne;- "The Accounts for the past Season are before you and the Hon. Treasurer would be pleased to answer any questions. If none, 1 would ask that the Accounts be approved and at the same time express our thanks and appreciation toMr. Ramsay for the fine work he does on behalf of the Union". The motion was seconded and carried unanimousl~\ Election of Officers, 1957-58. Surgeon Rear-Admiral L. B. Osborne, the retiring President, declared the Officers of the Union for Season 1957-58, elected, as follows;- ;) President ... A. MARSHALL, Esq. Vice-Presidents {Wi;ng-Commander J. LAWSON, C.RE. J. A. TALLENT, Esq., O.B.E., T.D. Hon. Treasurer W:: RAMSAY, Esq. , c. Surgeon Rear-Admiral L. B. Osborne introduced th~ new President and said that he played for Bedford and the East Midlands for many years and was Captain of Bedford. He has been Hon. Secretary of the East Midlands Union since 1935, and followed "Jimmie Minahan", that' great old East Midland administrator, on the Committee in 1945. He is the first President to represent East Midlands, which is an important and strong playing area. . .

Surgeon Rear-Admiral Osborne said he had the ve~y greatest confidence and pleasure in handing over the high office and the leadership of our Union to Mr. Arthur Marshall. 1 . On taking the Chair, Mr. Arthur Marshall said;- :1 . "Gentlemen, It has become the pleasing custom fol' your new President, as his first duty, to express thanks and appreciation to the retiring President for the work carried out by him during his term of Office. \ We who have worked with AdmiraI Osborne throùgh the years knew his worth, and those of you up and down the Country who have met him during the past Sdson will have sensed his forthrightness, his intensity of purpose, and bis devotion to the task in hand. He has been ever ready and willing, as indeed could be expected of one of his calling, to 'show the flag' in any , port', and he has not spared himself one iota in his efforts to discharge the full duties of Office, in the manner we ail associate with the Service ofwhich he is a member. ' "Ginger", we cannot pay you higher compliment th an to say in simple words, "you have measured up to the high standard of which we knew you to be capable" and please accept the thanks of your colleagues, the than ks of this meeting, and the thanks of rugby footballers everywhere, for aU you have done. i So from the immediate past to the immediate future. 1 Undoubtedly the highlight of interest for us ail will centre on the visit to these Islands of the Australian touring side. This visit is as opportune as it is important. The occasion of a visit of any Dominion Touring Side of National calibre, is in itself a stimulant of interest values, and indeed there is precedent enough for such vis.tts to be of lasting and reciprocal value to the Countries involved and to the game, and this particular visit might weil prove to be in the nature of a veritable blood transfusion. . The prestige and standard of English rugby is high at the moment, not only in the International field but throughout the Counties and the Clubs, and this happy state stems from a fuller, more general, and growing awareness on the part of players and referees, of the scope and possibilities provided in our game and within our

1 laws-but which maybe lie camouflaged by the "dont's" and "must nots"-a growing inclination not merely to refrain from doing what the laws forbid, but to seek out and employ the plays which the laws permit. Very fittingly and very happily we thus find ourselves in the position to demonstrate to our guests, up and down the Country, that the game as we know it and under the laws as we know them, can still be the virile, robust, exhilarating and sportsmanlike recreation and spectacle so well beloved and cherished by us aH. This then may well be the reason why in this year of triennial review, the formidable looking list of proposed alterations to laws on the agenda before us, are but minor in character and effect. You will have examined them and noted that no changes in the basic laws and principles of play are intended, and it will be explained to you later that almost without exception, they have arisen from the deliberations of the Laws Committee of the Union on points of Case Law submitted by you during the past three years, and are now proposed by the Union for adoption by the International Board. This is testimony on the one hand that regard is had to the questions raised from time to time by Clubs on the existing laws, and on the other it is a compliment to Clubs on the restrained approach they exercise in the matter oflaw changes. Of course there have been made on occasion suggestions of rdorm-some highly ingenious, others merely amusing, and mostly calculated to bring further fun and entertainment to the onlooker. But though your Union Committee can be trusted to give each and every suggestion the consideration it merits, you can rest assured of their reluctance to adopt the 'brain children' of misguided enthusiasts, and of their lothness to surrender the game to vivisection and aHowing it to become the guinea pig of experiment. This stabilizing front would seem to be of increasing value and necessity as the game spreads in countries oversêas, and it is the bounden dut y of the Rugby Football Union, with the other Home Unions, and leading them as it should, to see that other Unions recognise and respect the value of adherence to tradition and the basic features and principles of play, which together have served the game so splendidly through the years. AH will remain weH so long as the evolution of our game is natural and unforced. AlI will remain well so long as the patterns of our play and of the laws governing our play, are moulded to fit that natural development. In an era of growing interest in our game, no doubt stimulated in part by the medium of television, the most pleasing aspect is the increase in the number playing it, and this is particularly noticeable in the County Grammar Schools and the County Secondary Modern Schools. The Rugby Football Union is now liaising with the English Schools Union to some purpose, and the forming of County Schools Unions by the Constituent Bodies has secured a unified effort in the important and praiseworthy task of presenting the game to the young. We acknowledge and acclaim the work do ne by the schoolmasters, more often than not extraneous to their normal duties, and we should do well to reflect that in many of these schools most of the driving force and enthusiasm stems from the Welsh masters who have secured teaching posts in our midst; and great credit is due ta them for this pioneering work. This expansion in Schools brings in train the added responsibility for providing facilities for playing, ta the 15-years and 16-years-old schoolleavers, too young in years and physique to enter the hurly burly of so-called Junior Rugby. Then let us see to it, that the aim of every Club be to have in its care a Colts XV; and this irrespective of local school tendencies, for this has been the only means whereby many youths have had their first introduction ta rugby football-indeed it is the only way for tao many thousands of them. Let there be a general rebuttal of the idea at one time corn mon enough, that rugby football is the game of the privileged classes, and a general acceptance of the truism that those classes are privileged who have the oppor­ tunity to play it. _We shaH then approach the problem in the full knowledge and conviction that we have somethingvery worthwhile in our keeping, something very worthwhile to offer, and something in which all our youth should be given the opportunity to share. 1 would end, if 1 may, on a personal note. 1 am indeed happy to be the vehicle whereby honour is done ta my Club and my County, and in saying a 'thank you' on their behalf it is also my earnest prayer that when the year cornes to its close you will be able to feel that the confidence which you and my colleagues have reposed in me, has not been misplaced."

5 Auditors, 1957-58. Mr. R. W. West (Hertfordshire) proposed the re-election of Messrs. GillesP.Ïe Bros. & Co., 43 Chandos Place, London, W.C.2, and at the same time expressed the Unions' thanks for the work they had done during the pa st year. This was seconded by Mr. G. A. Wharton (Notts., Lancs. and Derbyshire) and carried unanimously.

LAWS OF THE GAME Thefollowing proposaIs by the Committee were unanimously approved:- (The R.F.U. Committee believe that the Laws of the Game as re-framed by the International Board in 1954 have proved generally successful in aH grades of football. The p~oposed recommendations for their amendment by the LB. in 1958, set out here, are therefore minor in character.) : 1) Law 2. Definitions, etc. Page 39 R.F.U. Handbook 1956-57. Goal. Delete third paragraph and substitute 1 "A goal is scored if the ball has crossed the bar notwithstanding a prior offence by a player of the opposing team". d 2) Law 5. Players' Dress. Page 43. Add in line two after " buckles, rings, etc." " or leather shoulder pads ".

3) Law 10. Functions of Referee. Î (7) Page 46. Delete" may " substitute " should ". ' (14) (i) Page 48. Delete in toto. Substitute " player hurt (immediately the ball next becomes dead). Play must be resumed within two minutes unless addition al time is required for removal of the injured player from the field of play". 4) Law 14. Knock-on, etc. Page 52. Add new paragraph. "(e) The movement of the ball in the player's grasp is in the nature of a steadying or re-adjustment of the bàll within his possession without loss of control". 5) Law 22. Drop-Out. Page 66. In (a) linè one add the word " anywhere" between "from " and" on ". l 6) Law 24. Penalty Kick. Page 70. (i) Leave Paragraph (b) unchanged OR (ii) Delete from paragraph (b) the words " at least five yards or " OR . (iii) Delete from paragraph (b) the words" at least five yards or". Add new paragraph " (f) After the kick has been correctly taken the ball may be next played by any player of either side except the kicker ". 7) Law 25. Place Kick at Goal aCter a Try. Page 72. Penalty. Delete (ii) and substitute " For an infringement by the opposing team-the charge shaH be disallowed: if the kick has been unsuccessfully taken the kicker shan be allowed to place the ball for .another kick without the charge". 8) It is recommended that (a) the Notes for the Guidance of Referees, Pages 95-116 be severely pruned, by transfer of essential matter to the Laws proper, and the deletion of an that is repetitive and unnecessary: (b) The title of the " Notes for the Guidance of Referees" to be altered to" Notes on the Laws ". 9) If8 (a) be undertaken, and certain items are to become Law, it is recommended that (a) Law 18. General, paragraph one. Page 104. ., after a knock-on (until now a scrummage has always been awarded for the first offence)-the offside player should only be penalized if, in fact, he prevents the opposition from taking an advantage for the knock-on. AccidentaI offside in such instances should be dealt with as laid down in Law 18. (b) Law 24. Penalty Kick Notes. Page 110, li ne 17. delete " must be taken by the same player who took the original kick, but it ". RULES AS TO PROFESSIONALISM Proposed by the Committee and carried unanimously. Re-arrangement of Sub-Headings and Paragraphs, and amendment of the Rules as to Professionalism. (U nderlined for the purpose of indentification.) RULES AS TO PROFESSIONALISM AND OTHER ILLEGAL ACTS , As laid down by the Rugby Football Union and Welsh . 1. Professionalism is illegal. 2. Acts of Professionalism by an individual are:- *A. Asking, receiving or re1ying on a promise, direct or implied to receive any money consideration whatever, actual or prospective; any employment or advancement; any establishment in business; or any compensation whatever for:- (i) playing Rugby football; or (ii) rendering any service to a Rugby football organisation, provided however that a joint Committee of the Unions who have adopted the se rules as to professionalism may by resolution except the Secretary or Treasurer of a Club or other Rugby Union football organisation, who has definitely ceased playing Rugby football; (iii) training, or travelling expenses to or from any training resort, or loss of time connected therewith; (iv) time lost in playing Rugby football or in travelling in connection with Rugby football; (v) expenses in excess of the amount actually disbursed on account of reasonable hotel or travelling expenses. B. Playing Rugby football for a club while receiving, or after having received from such club, any consideration whatever for acting as Secretary, Treasurer, or in any other office or for doing or for having do ne any work or labour about the club's grounds or in connection with the club's affairs, unless such work was done before the receiver became a Rugby football player. e. Remaining on tour at his club's expense longer than is reasonable. D. Giving or receiving any money testimonial; or giving or receiving any other testimonial, unless permission has been granted by his National Rugby Union. NOTE.-No memento or mementoes exceeding in value or aggregate value the sum of f5 shall be given to any player. (This is not intended to apply to a wedding gift.) *E. Being registered as, or declared a professional by any Northern Union, Rugby League, or other profession al Rugby football Union. F. Playing within eight days of any Rugby football accident for which he has claimed or received insurance compensation, if insured under these rules. *G. Receiving money or other valuable consideration from any person or persons as an inducement towards playing Rugby football. *H. Signing any professional form, of the Northern Union, or Rugby League, or any other profession al Rugby football organisation. 1. Using or permitting his name to be used for the purpose of advertising any article Providing that this paragraph shaH not prohibit anyperson ,from carrying on business under his own name or from being concerned or interested in à firm or company which bears or includes his own name, so long as the articles sold or manufactured by such person, firm or company are not in advertisements identified with such person as a player or former player of Rugby football. 3. The following acts by an individual constitute breaches of the Rules and are iIlegal. A. Transferring his services from one club to another contrary to Rule 7c. B. 'Receiving any medal or other prize in connection with Rugby football except under the authority of his National Rugby Union. e. Playing Rugby football on any ground where gate money is taken (unless permission has been granted by his National Rugby Union)- (i) during the close season; or

7 (ii) in any match or contest where it is previously agreed that less than 15 players on each side shaH take part. *D. Knowingly playing with or against or being coached by any expelled or suspended Rugby football player or club, or any Northern Union, Rugby League, or other professional Rugby football player or club. (Tbis paragraph is subject to the dispensations granted under the following Rule 4.) *E. Refusing to give evidence or otberwise assist in carrying out tbese rules wben requested by his National Rugby Union to do so. *F. Knowingly playing in any benefit matcb connected directly or indirectly with Rugby football, unless permission bas been given by bis National Rugby Union for such a match to be played. *G. Knowingly training, playing, or acting as Referee or Touch Judge for or on the ground of, an expelled or suspended Rugby football club, or of a Northern Union, Rugby League, or other professional Rugby football organisation. NOTE.-The ground of a Northern Union, Rugby League, or other professional Rugby Football organisation indudes any ground regularly Jsed throughout the season by such organisation as a home ground irrespective of its ownership. \ *H. Advocating or taking steps to promote or foster Northern Union, Rugby League, or' other professional Rugby football. \ 1. Signing anyamateur form, of the Northern' Union, or Rugby League, or any other professional Rugby football organisation.

1 4. Rugby Union players and Rugby League players in H.M. Armed Forces. A. No member of H.M. Armed Forces shall be,deemed to have committed an act of Professionalism if, in the. course of his duty, he is required to organise or provide facilities for the playing of football unoer Rugby League rules. B. No restriction imposed by the foregoing Rules as to Professionalism shall be deemed to apply to playing pitches provided by H.M. Government primarily for the recreation of members of the Armed Forces. C. A Rugby Union player is permitted, whilst in H.M. Armed Forces, to play for a Service Team

in a Rugby League gamej but may not play for any civilian Rugby League team. D. A Rugby League player is permitted, whilst in H.M. Regular Armed Forces, to play in a Rugby Union game for a team composed entirely of serving!\members of H.M. Armed Forces against an English or Welsh Rugby Union team only. , E. A Rugby League player who has played linder (0) above may continue to play Rugby League football for other than a Service te am but cannot play Rugby Union football except for a Service team. F. On release from service in H.M. Armed Forces the Rules as to Professionalism will apply, and accordingly the following will thereupon be debarred,from playing Rugby Union football:- ' (i) any player who during his service shall have played for a civilian Rugby League Club, and (ii) any Rugby League player who previous tb his entry into H.M. Armed Forces had committed a breach of the Rules as to Professionalism. ' G. For the purpose ofthis rule a player on the Reserve of the Regular Armed Forces or a member of the T.A. or R.A.F. Auxiliary Services shall not be regarded as a member of H.M. Armed Forces except during Annual Training or when attached for training to a Regular Unit of the Armed Forces. 5. The Rugby League and Workshop Competitions:-: 'Rugby Union players are not permitted to play in any Workshop or other Competition which is run under the auspices of the Rugby League, or is played under Rugby League fuIes. Any player so doing will be immediately expelled or suspended during the pleasure of his National Rugby Union from further participation in Rugby Union Football. 6. The following acts by a club or other Rugby organisation constitute breaches of the Rules and are illegal. Herefallaws seratim Rule 2 (2) A ta P, see pages 13H35, R.F.U. Handbaak (1956-57) Ta be numbered Rule 6 A ta P. ' \ 7. General. A. Notwithstanding Rule 3 C and Rule 6 G a',National Rugby Union may:- (i) grant permission for Seven-a-side Rugby Union football to be playcd at any enclosure where gate money is taken; (ii) delegate such power to governing b09ies un der Rule 8 F. This rule should, however, only be il1vqked where it is considered advisable for the promotion of the game of Rugby Union football. B. A county or club may insure its players either through :­ (a) A recognised insurance company, or- (b) A fund entirely set apart for insurance, the accounts of such fund to be yearly audited by a professional audit or. Such audit to be made at the close of each season, and to be concluded, and the auditor's certificate lodged with this Union, not later than the 20th May in each year, provided that:- (i) Any injured player does not receive more than n per week-day while injured. (ii) Payments are only made on the certificate of a registered medical practitioner. (iii) Any player does not play football within eight days of his accident; if he does so, no in surance compensation shall be paid. (iv) Proper books ofaccounts be kept.

C. When a player wishes to join a new club he may do so; if his National Rugby Union request it, he shall produce a letter from his old club stating that they have no objection; on receipt of such letter the Union shall give the necessary permission, unless they believe there may have been collusion, or that illegal means have been employed to induce the player to join the new club, in which case they shaH hold an enquiry. In case any club or clubs refuse to give such written permission, the Union must hold an enquiry, at the request of the player or of the club he wishes to join. Iffrom any cause an enquiry be held, the Union shaH have full power to order the payment of the costs of such enquiry, and of the clubs and witnesses, as they may think fit. ' In case an English player wishes to join a Welsh club, or a Welsh player an English club, he may do so; if requested by either Union, he shaH produce a letter from his old club, stating they have no objection; on receipt of this letter, the Union requesting such shaH, if satisfied, give the necessary permission; if not satisfied, they shaH ask the other Union to hold a joint enquiry, such enquiry to be he1d by a Joint Committee of two representatives of each Union. The chair shaH be taken alternately, but no Chairman shaH have a second or casting vote. In case of disagreement, a member of the Scottish Union shaH be asked to arbitrate, or failing such, a member of the Irish Union. Any such joint committee or arbitrator shaH have power to order the payment of expenses as they think fit, and all findings shall be final. A National Rugby Union may grant power to recognised governing bodies to increase the stringency of this rule, provided such proposed alterations be submitted to and approved of by them. D. The Rugby League and Junior and Schoolboy players- (i) In the case of Junior players, no player should be considered to have contravened the Rules as to Professionalism on the grounds of having signed a Rugby League Form (Profession al or Amateur) or having had any connection with the Rugby League (Professional or Amateur) before he has reached his 18th birthday. NOTE.-This rule is not retrospective . . (ii) Boys still at School. Boys under 19 years of age playing Rugby League football for their School, where only the Rugby League game is played, shaH not be considered disqualified under the Professional Rules from playing Rugby Union football.

8. Jurisdiction. A. For offences against the rules indicated with an asterisk (*) an individuai or club shall be expelled or . suspended during the pleasure of his or its National Rugby Union. For aH other offences an individual or club shall be suspended during such pleasure. No individual who has been guilty of any offence against these rules or who has been expelled shall be eligible for re-election or election to any club. Any club disregarding a sentence of suspension shall be liable for expulsion. B. A National Rugby Union may hold enquiries into any aHeged breaches of these rules at their pleasure, and shaH do so when requested by any club or member of a club, provided any such club or member make a preliminary deposit of no, or such sm aller sum as the Union may de termine, to be accompanied by a preliminary written statement of the chief known facts. After any such enquiry the Union may return the preliminary deposit, whoHy or in part, and may order the expenses of such enquiry, of clubs and members implicated, and ofwitnesses, to be paid as they may determine. c. At aU enquiries under Rules 7 C and 8 B correct notes must be taken.

D. A National Rugby Union may appoint a sub-committee or committees to act on their behalf in ail cases arising under these rules, giving such powers as they may détermine.

E. A National Rugby Union shaH have power to deal with aU acts which they may consider as acts of professionalism and which are not specifically provided for.

F. A National Rugby Union may delegate to recognised governing bodies, such as H.M. Armed Services, Counties, Union of Counties, and Universities, powers to act for them in such cases and under such regulations as they may determine. AU powers so delegated, and the bodies to whom such delegation be made, shaH be published annuaUy in the official guide of the Union.

G. Any club, member, or player atfccted by any decision given by H.M. Armed Services, a County, Union of Counties or Universities under delegation of\'powers contained in Rule 8 F, may appeal direct to its National Rugby Union; such appeal must be made wÙhin 10 days and must be acCompanied by a deposit of f50 and a written statement of the grounds of appeal. After any such appeal the Union may return such deposit, wholly or in part, and may order the expenses Of such enquiry, of club and members implicated and of witnesses, to be paid as they may determine.

H. Where the word Union is used in the se rules the Committee for the time being of a National Rugby Union shall be understood, and in the delegation of powers, the Committee of the recognised governing body shaH be understood. In case any difference of opinion arises as to the meaning of any of these rules such meaning sha11 be decidedby the Committee of the Union, or ifit occurs at a General Meeting by the Chairman thereof; any such decision shall be entered in the minutes and shall be accepted as a true meaning until otherwise interpreted by a two-thirds majority at a General Meeting of the Union after due notice has been given.

The Meeting closed, with a vote ofthanks to the Chair, '!-t 5.55 p.m.

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