How many front-row players must be in our match-day squad?

Question

Accepted Answer

Law 3.8 sets the minimum by squad size: Squad size Minimum front-row players Must be able to replace at the first time of asking 15 or fewer 3 – 16, 17 or 18 4 A prop or a hooker 19 to 22 5 A prop and a hooker 23 6 Loose-head prop, tight-head prop and hooker If your competition uses 23-player squads but you can name only two front-row replacements, you may name only 22 players (Law 3.9). A replacement front-row player may start the match in another position (Law 3.11). A match organiser may, taking player welfare into account, amend these minimums at defined levels of the game (Law 3.8), so your union's competition rules may differ.

Squad size	Minimum front-row players	Must be able to replace at the first time of asking
15 or fewer	3	–
16, 17 or 18	4	A prop or a hooker
19 to 22	5	A prop and a hooker
23	6	Loose-head prop, tight-head prop and hooker