REGULATION 9 Period of International duty for Matches 9.9 In each case of release a Union shall be entitled to exercise its Right to Release for Matches so that Players are assembled at a location determined by the Union selecting the Player and available to train at least five clear days prior to the commencement of the International Match, International Tour or International Tournament. If an International Tournament is not played on consecutive weekends then the five clear day period shall commence five days before each Match in the Tournament. 9.10 For the quadrennial Rugby World Cup a Union shall be entitled to exercise its Right of Release for the Tournament so that Players are assembled at a location determined by the Union selecting the Player and available to train and/or play in warm-up Matches at least 35 clear days prior to the commencement of the opening Match of the Rugby World Cup Tournament. Limitation on number of Matches for which the Right to Release can be exercised 9.11 Subject to Regulation 9.12 and Regulation 9.33, no Northern Hemisphere Union shall exercise the Right to Release for Matches on more than 11 occasions in a calendar year for each of its senior National Representative Team, next senior National Representative Team and the Under 20 National Representative Team. Subject to Regulation 9.12, no Southern Hemisphere Union shall exercise the Right to Release for Matches on more than 12 occasions in a calendar year for each of its senior National Representative Team, next senior National Representative Team and the Under 20 National Representative Team. Effective from June 1, 2012 and subject to Regulation 9.12 and Regulation 9.33, no Four Nations Union shall exercise the Right to Release for Matches on more than 12 occasions in a calendar year for each of its senior National Representative Team, next senior National Representative Team and the Under 20 National Representative Team. (a) For Northern Hemisphere Unions these 11 occasions will be taken as follows: (i) 3 Matches in the June Global Release Period. (ii) 3 Matches in the November Global Release Period. (iii) 5 Matches during the Northern Hemisphere Release Period. The 11 occasions in respect of which the Right to Release may be exercised shall be the same for each of the senior National Representative Team, next senior National Representative Team and the Under 20 National Representative Team. (b) For Southern Hemisphere Unions these 12 occasions will be taken as follows: Last update: 14 January, 2015 160
World Rugby Handbook
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