Introduction

This Code of Conduct is the “World Rugby Code of Conduct”, amended only in so far as is necessary to apply to the game in Scotland.

Scottish Rugby is obliged to adopt the World Rugby Code of Conduct and to ensure that it is observed by all those who participate in the game within its jurisdiction.


The Code

Scottish Rugby’s Code of Conduct shall apply in respect of all clubs, schools, teams, players, coaches, match officials and other persons participating in or connected in any way with the game in Scotland.

All of whom:-

  1. must ensure that the game is played and conducted in accordance with disciplined and sporting behaviour and acknowledge that it is not sufficient to rely solely upon the match officials to maintain those principles;
  2. shall cooperate in ensuring that the spirit of the Laws of the Game is upheld and encourage players to refrain from committing acts of foul play (including by refraining from selecting them where appropriate);
  3. shall not repeatedly breach the Laws of the Game;
  4. shall accept and observe the authority and decisions of the match officials and all other rugby disciplinary bodies, subject to World Rugby 17 and Scottish Rugby’s Disciplinary Rules;
  5. shall not publish or cause to be published criticism of the manner in which a match official handled a match;
  6. shall not publish or cause to be published criticism of the manner in which World Rugby, Scottish Rugby or any disciplinary body handled or resolved any dispute or disciplinary matter resulting from a breach of the World Rugby Bye-Laws, the Laws of the Game, World Rugby’s Regulations Relating to the Game, Scottish Rugby’s competition rules or any other Scottish Rugby Bye-Law, rule, regulation, policy or process;
  7. shall not engage in any conduct or any activity on or off the field that may impair public confidence in the honest and orderly conduct of a match, tour, tournament or series of matches (including, but not limited to, the supply of information in relation to the game, directly or indirectly, to bookmakers or to persons who may use such information to their advantage) or in the integrity and good character of any person;
  8. shall not commit a breach of any of the World Rugby Regulations or Scottish Domestic Regulations (including but not limited to any Betting and Anti-Corruption offence (SDR 6), any Anti-Doping offence (SDR 21.1), any Illicit Drugs offence (SDR 21.2) or any breach of Scottish Rugby’s competition rules or any other Scottish Rugby Bye-Law, rule, regulation, policy or process;
  9. shall promote the reputation of the game and take all possible steps to prevent it from being brought into disrepute.
  10. shall not abuse, threaten or intimidate any match official, whether on or off the field of play;
  11. shall not use crude, foul or abusive language or gestures towards other players, coaches, club officials, match officials, spectators or any other person;
  12. shall not do anything which is likely to intimidate, offend, insult, humiliate or discriminate against any person on the grounds of their religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, colour or national or ethnic origin;
  13. shall not do anything which adversely affects the game of Rugby, Scottish Rugby, any member club or other Union of World Rugby or any commercial partner of the game in Scotland; and
  14. shall abide by all rules, regulations, codes of conduct and policies issued by Scottish Rugby including, inter alia, Scottish Rugby’s Child Protection Policy, Concussion Policy and Player Payment Policy;

Each club, player, coach, match official and other person connected in any way with the game in Scotland shall be under an obligation to comply with this Code of Conduct.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct shall constitute acts of Misconduct under Scottish Rugby’s Disciplinary Rules.