Rules

Inline with new new Season 28 BR rule changes, Points are tallied by winning matches (4 points) and playing to a draw (2 points). One bonus point (BT) will be awarded to any team that scores 3 or more tries than their opponent in a single game, regardless of the final result. A bonus point (BL) may also be awarded to the losing side if the margin of loss is 7 points or less. Only the losing side can achieve the maximum 2 bonus points.

Each group will consist of 5 teams, (giving 8 group matches and 2 byes) based on each teams top 15 players average CSR (i.e. group 1 will sometimes, but not always, consist of the top 5 teams with the highest average CSR). The top 4 groups will play for the Cup, next 4 the Plate, and so on in the Bowl, Shield, Vase, Plaque, Resin and Jonesy.

After the group rounds the teams finishing in the top four in each group will move forward to the knockout rounds, with the grand finals being in week 14.

When two or more teams are tied on total points, the higher-ranked team will be determined by the following criteria in order:

- Points Difference

- Total wins in current IGTWCC season

- Bonus tries points (BT)

- Bonus loss points (BL)

- Points For

The teams that finish on top of the table in each group will earn home games in the knockout round and the quarter finals, as a reward for topping their groups, and their opponents will be drawn at random from the teams that place in 3rd and 4th (from different groups with the trophy where possible).

The teams that finish in 2nd place on the table in each group will earn home games in the knock-out round only, as a reward for coming 2nd, and their opponents will be drawn at random from the teams that place in 3rd and 4th (from different groups with the trophy).

S23 Updated Ruling

The 1st place team in each group will still have a Home fixture in the knockout round and the Quarter Final, and the 2nd place team will have a home fixture in the Knockout Round only....as in previous seasons.

However this season, their opponents will be drawn completely at random from the teams who finished in 3rd & 4th place (possibly from the same group).

In the Quarter Finals, the teams who finished in 1st Place in the group rounds, will still have a home fixture, however their opponents will be selected at random, and not follow the traditional ladder system.

After the Quarter Finals, all remaining fixtures will be selected at random, similar to the normal Blackout Rugby National Cup.

The teams that finish in 5th and place will have the opportunity to play for either the Gold, Silver & Bronze Wooden Spoon Trophies.

Trophies

The trophies in the IGTWCC consist of the Cup, Plate, Bowl, Shield, Vase, Plaque, Resin, Jonesy and the Gold, Silver & Bronze Wooden Spoons. There is also a trophy for the Top Points Scorer and the Top Try Scorer in the competition.

Last but not least is the coveted Laboroise Award, which will be awarded to the team who I think has shown commitment and effort, and hard work "Above and Beyond" throughout the IGTWCC Tournament. Laboriose is a latin word which is defined as: laboriously, with great effort.

The recipient of this award may not be an eventual winner in Cup, Plate, Bowl or Shield, Vase or Plaque, but will be a team that has played well throughout the tournament, and has overcome differences in team skills and quality, to progress as far as humanly possible.

Tie Breaking during finals.

If after 80 minutes the scores are tied, the Blackout Rugby tie-breaking rules will be applied, which means extra time followed by a kicking competition.