Rugby owes much of its appeal to its traditions which dictate that the game is played both to the letter and within the spirit of the Laws. It is the responsibility of coaches, captains, players, referees, administrators and fans to create an environment where the highest possible standards are promoted and maintained at all times on and off the field of play.

It is through discipline, control and mutual respect that the game flourishes and, in the context of a game as physically challenging as rugby, these are the qualities which forge the fellowship and sense of fair play so essential to the game’s ongoing success and survival.

These traditional values remain as important to rugby’s future as they have been throughout its long and distinguished past. The principles of rugby are the fundamental elements upon which the game is based and they enable participants to immediately identify the game’s character and what makes it distinctive as a sport.