Sevens benches are small, and every change has to be managed.

How many players and replacements

Sevens is played with seven players per team on the field. The sevens variation to Law 3 changes the normal rugby union team-size rule from 15 players to seven players, and it changes the replacement limit so a team may nominate and use up to five replacements.

For non-international or local events, the match organiser can set the number of replacements that may be nominated, but the sevens law caps that number at five. Tournament regulations may also control match-day squads, event squads, injury replacement paperwork, and when team lists must be submitted.

When a replacement can enter

A normal replacement is made when the ball is dead and with the referee's permission. In practical terms, the player coming off must leave through the proper match-management process, and the replacement cannot simply run on because the team wants fresh legs.

• The replacement must be one of the eligible nominated players.
• The change must happen at a lawful stoppage, not while the ball is live.
• The referee or appointed official must permit the replacement.
• The team must not briefly create an eighth active player.

Tactical changes are not rolling subs

A tactical replacement is a coach's choice rather than a medical necessity. Once a player is tactically replaced, that player is not free to come back on and off like an unlimited interchange player. Return is limited to specific replacement exceptions in the laws and the active tournament regulations.

This is a common misunderstanding because sevens tournaments move quickly and squads rotate across a day. A player may appear in different matches, but within one match the replacement law still controls who can enter, who has left, and whether a used player can return.

Permanent medical replacements

An injured player may be permanently replaced when the law's injury standard is met. Once a player is permanently replaced for injury, that player may not return to that match. Officials and medical staff are especially careful with this in sevens because a short match can pressure teams to rush decisions.

If a player is concussed or has suspected concussion, the player must be immediately and permanently removed under the recognise-and-remove approach. Competition medical protocols can add further detail, but the practical match ruling is simple: suspected concussion is not a tactical pause or a short rest.

Temporary replacements are special cases

Rugby law allows temporary replacement for a blood injury, with the original player returning once the bleeding has been controlled and covered within the permitted time. If the player cannot return within the law's time limit, the replacement becomes permanent.

Head Injury Assessment procedures apply only in competitions approved for that process. Where they apply, the medical protocol, the temporary replacement, and the return decision are controlled by the law and match officials. Where they do not apply, suspected concussion is handled by permanent removal.

A carded player is not just substituted

A yellow card in sevens creates a two-minute suspension. The team plays short during that period; it cannot avoid the sanction by sending on a replacement for the suspended player. The player returns only when the suspension has expired and the officials allow the return.

A player who is sent off is removed from the match. In ordinary rugby logic, a red card is not a standard substitution opportunity. Some elite or local competitions may use specific red-card replacement variations, so the active competition rules must be checked before assuming a sent-off player can ever be replaced.

What happens if a team has eight

If a team has too many players in the playing area, the referee orders the captain to reduce the number. If the issue is raised as a formal objection, the score at that time is not changed, but the sanction can be a penalty.

Officials are not usually looking for a harmless player standing near the touchline after a managed stoppage. They are looking at whether an extra player has entered, rejoined, or affected play without permission, and whether the team gained an unfair advantage from the illegal number.

Where viewers get caught

• "Five replacements means unlimited rotation": no. Sevens limits the replacements a team may nominate and use, and normal return restrictions still matter.
• "The bench can enter during live play like hockey": no. Rugby sevens replacements are made when the ball is dead and with permission.
• "A yellow-carded player can be covered by a substitute": no. The team plays with one fewer player during the suspension.
• "Tournament squad size and match replacement limit are the same thing": not necessarily. Event regulations may allow a larger tournament squad while the match-day replacement law still controls a single match.
• "An injury replacement is always reversible": no. Permanent injury replacement means the injured player cannot return to that match.

How officials sort a change

1. Confirm the team has no more than seven players active in the playing area.
2. Check that the proposed replacement is eligible under the match-day list and tournament rules.
3. Confirm the ball is dead and the replacement has permission to enter.
4. Decide whether the change is tactical, permanent injury, temporary blood, HIA-related, or tied to a card or foul-play situation.
5. Record the replacement and prevent a replaced player from returning unless the laws allow that specific return.
6. If an illegal entry or extra-player advantage occurs, apply the appropriate penalty or misconduct process.

Source material

• World Rugby Sevens variation: Law 3 Team
• World Rugby Law 3: Team
• World Rugby Sevens variation: Law 9 Foul play
• World Rugby Laws of the Game