The International Rugby Board has issued a Ruling in Law relating to time at the end of a match.

The Ruling follows a request for clarification by the Welsh Rugby Union and arises from the ending of two recent international matches and is in relation to the way a restart takes place following the referee's communication that it is to be the "last play" of the match, particularly if the ball is then kicked out on the full from the kick-off.

The Designated Members of the IRB Rugby Committee, comprising Graham Mourie (New Zealand), Bill Nolan (Scotland) and David Pickering (Wales) examined the Law and ruled that if there has been a score towards the end of the match and there is time for the kick-off to take place but time will expire immediately after the kick and the kicker:

(a) Does not kick the ball 10 metres (b) Kicks the ball directly into touch (c) Kicks the ball dead on or over the opponents touch-in-goal or dead ball line

The referee will offer the non-offending team the options provided by Law 13.7, 13.8 and 13.9 respectively and the match continues until the ball next becomes dead.

A Ruling in Law was also sought by the Irish Rugby Football Union on the Tackle Law 15.6 (c) and its reflection of the writing into Law of Ruling No. 13 of 2003, and Nos. 3 and 8 of 2004.

The Designated Members of the IRB Rugby Committee ruled that the Law amendment, Law 15.6 (c) reflects the Rulings 13 in 2003 and 3 and 8 in 2004.

Law 15.6 (c) as written reflected the views of the Designated Members in 2004 and now, Law 15.6 (c) is part of the Law amendments circulated to all Unions in May 2009 and was unanimously accepted by the IRB Rugby Committee and IRB Council and communicated to Unions.

The Rulings were issued last week to all IRB Member Unions and their Referee Managers.