Rugby
Rugby kit rules: World Rugby Law 4 and Regulation 12
World Rugby's clothing law is about safety: what a player must wear, what is allowed on top and what is banned. Colours, numbers and sponsors are left to competitions.
- Governing body
- World Rugby
- Documents
- Law 4 and Regulation 12
- Edition
- Current online versions
- Applies to
- All matches under World Rugby Laws
- Last checked
- 6 October 2026
About the source
The short answer
World Rugby's Law 4 says a player wears a jersey, shorts and underwear, socks and boots, with jersey sleeves reaching at least halfway from shoulder to elbow. Padding, headgear and supports are allowed within Regulation 12 limits, while padded shorts and jewellery are banned. Law 4 does not set jersey colours, numbers or sponsors.
Rules change: always check your own league's current rules.
This page summarises the governing document named in each row, in our own words. It is not the official text and it is not legal advice. Leagues, unions, boards and school associations can add to or change these rules, and they publish new editions.
Rules table
The rules, row by row
Each row has the clause, the edition and a link to the source. Last checked .
Required and permitted clothing (Law 4)
These rows come from Law 4 on World Rugby Passport.
| Rule | What it says | Who sets it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required clothing | A player wears a jersey, shorts and underwear, socks and boots. | World Rugby (Law 4) | World Rugby Law 4Clause 4.2 Current online version (World Rugby Passport) Last checked |
| Sleeve length | The sleeve of a jersey must extend at least halfway from the shoulder point to the elbow. | World Rugby (Law 4) | World Rugby Law 4Clause 4.2 Current online version (World Rugby Passport) Last checked |
| Follow Regulation 12 | All items of clothing must comply with World Rugby Regulation 12. | World Rugby (Law 4) | World Rugby Law 4Clause 4.1 Current online version (World Rugby Passport) Last checked |
| Extra items allowed | Permitted extras include elasticated supports, shin guards, fingerless mitts, shoulder or approved chest pads, headgear, tape, goggles, moulded studs and long cotton-blend tights or leggings with a single inside leg seam under the shorts and socks. | World Rugby (Law 4) | World Rugby Law 4Clause 4.3 Current online version (World Rugby Passport) Last checked |
| Banned items | A player may not wear jewellery, gloves, communication devices, anything with buckles, clips, hinges, zippers or rigid projections, or shorts or leggings with padding sewn in. | World Rugby (Law 4) | World Rugby Law 4Clause 4.4 Current online version (World Rugby Passport) Last checked |
| Referee's power | The referee can decide at any time that an item of clothing is dangerous or illegal and order the player to remove it. The player cannot take part until it is removed or made harmless. | World Rugby (Law 4) | World Rugby Law 4Clause 4.5 Current online version (World Rugby Passport) Last checked |
Thickness and approved clothing (Regulation 12)
These rows come from the current online Regulation 12.
| Rule | What it says | Who sets it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| General thickness limit | Apart from the specifically listed items, no non-padding part of an item worn may be thicker than 2 mm when uncompressed. | World Rugby (Regulation 12) | World Rugby Reg 12Section 3 Page last updated 1 July 2019 Last checked |
| Shin guards | Shin guards are worn under the socks, with padding set in non-rigid fabric and no part thicker than 5 mm when uncompressed. | World Rugby (Regulation 12) | World Rugby Reg 12Section 1(a) Page last updated 1 July 2019 Last checked |
| Body padding and headgear | Body padding and headgear must meet the relevant World Rugby performance specification. | World Rugby (Regulation 12) | World Rugby Reg 12Sections 1(c) and 1(d) Page last updated 1 July 2019 Last checked |
| Approved clothing labels | The regulation displays three World Rugby Approved Clothing labels, valid in monochrome and colour, and says unions, clubs and players must comply in full for all matches. | World Rugby (Regulation 12) | World Rugby Reg 12Opening paragraph Page last updated 1 July 2019 Last checked |
Law 4 and Regulation 12 as published online do not set jersey colours, numbers or sponsor marks. Those come from your competition or union. Regulation 12 also covers studs, goggles and player monitoring devices, which we have left out.
Rules change: always check your own league's current rules.
Ordering
What this means when ordering kit
Practical notes for a rugby order. Rules vary by league, so send your league's kit rules with your brief. The kit order checklist turns these notes into a printable page.
- Check sleeve length on the sampleJersey sleeves must reach at least halfway from shoulder to elbow. A sample in 8–10 days lets you check short-sleeve and fitted cuts on real players, including a front-row forward and a back.
- Keep padding out of shorts and hardware off the garmentsLaw 4 bans shorts with padding sewn in and items with zippers, buckles, clips or rigid parts. Do not specify padded shorts, and check with your union before adding hardware. Our rugby range is jerseys, shorts and socks.
- Ask about the fabric at the same timeRugby jerseys take heavy contact. Heavyweight, tackle-resistant fabric options are part of our rugby range; the fabric guide explains the trade-offs.
- Get colours, numbers and sponsor rules from your unionLaw 4 does not cover them, so send your competition's kit rules with the brief. Traditional numbers go on the back, names are optional, and sponsor positions should stay clear of seams and the collar.
- Plan home and away colourwaysWe make rugby kits as home and away colourway sets in youth to adult sizes. Ask your competition how it handles colour clashes, then give us both colourways in the brief.
What does World Rugby say a player must wear?
Law 4 says a player wears a jersey, shorts and underwear, socks and boots. The sleeve of a jersey must extend at least halfway from the shoulder point to the elbow. All clothing must comply with World Rugby Regulation 12.
Can rugby players wear padding?
Some, within limits. Law 4 permits shoulder pads or approved chest pads, headgear, shin guards and elasticated supports, but bans shorts or leggings with padding sewn in. Regulation 12 requires body padding and headgear to meet World Rugby's performance specifications.
Are zips and buckles allowed on rugby kit?
No. Law 4 bans any item containing buckles, clips, rings, hinges, zippers, screws, bolts or rigid projections that the Law does not otherwise permit. Check with your union before adding any hardware to a match jersey or shorts.
Does World Rugby set jersey colours or numbers?
Not in Law 4 or in Regulation 12 as published online. Those details come from your competition or union, so ask for their kit regulations before finalising artwork.
How thick can clothing be in rugby?
Regulation 12 says that, other than the specifically listed items, no non-padding part of an item may be thicker than 2 mm when uncompressed. Shin guard padding is capped at 5 mm when uncompressed.
Sources
Primary sources
The documents behind this page, all read directly from the publisher. Accessed 2026-10-06. Links open in a new tab.
- World Rugby: Laws of the Game, Law 4: Permitted clothing Current online version (World Rugby Passport). Accessed 2026-10-06.
- World Rugby: Regulation 12: Provisions relating to players' dress Page last updated 1 July 2019. Accessed 2026-10-06.
Published by Nyxlete. Summaries are our own words and are not the official text.
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Ordering rugby kit?
Send your quantities, colours and your league's rules. We reply with pricing and a sample timeline.